To celebrate the 26th anniversary of Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), the Faculty of Law of MUST, supported by the MUST Foundation, successfully held the 5th “Forum of Deans of Law Schools from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao” together with the launch ceremony of the inaugural issue of the Cross-Border Law Review at 9:30 a.m. on April 29, 2026, at the N101 Auditorium of the N Block Library Building on campus.
The forum brought together university presidents, deans of law schools, editors-in-chief of leading academic journals, and other distinguished scholars from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and overseas institutions to discuss frontier issues in modern rule of law and legal education, as well as to witness the official launch of the inaugural issue of the Cross-Border Law Review, the academic journal of the MUST Faculty of Law.
The forum invited the following distinguished guests:
Dean Cui Guobin of the School of Law, Tsinghua University;
Dean Peng Yue of the Law School, Nanjing University;
Dean Liang Yingxiu of the Law School, Beijing Normal University;
Dean Zhang Liang of the Law School, Sun Yat-sen University;
Dean Pan Weijiang of the Law School, Beihang University;
Dean Du Tao of the International Law School, East China University of Political Science and Law;
Honorary Dean Qiang Li of the School of Economic Law, Northwest University of Political Science and Law;
Dean Zhou Jiang of the School of International Law, Southwest University of Political Science and Law;
Dean Zhao Jingchen of the Law School, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics;
Dean Cai Yingwen of the Law School, Qingdao University;
Deputy Director Xie Zengyi of the Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences;
Associate Dean Zhao Yun of the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong;
Assistant Dean Zhai Xiaobo of the Faculty of Law, University of Macau;
Editor-in-Chief Song Wei of Science, Technology and Law;
Senior Editor Wang Lijun of Renmin University of China Reprinted Materials;
Associate Editor-in-Chief Dong Kun of Global Law Review;
Editor-in-Chief Wang Jiangyu of Asia Pacific Law Review;
Editor-in-Chief Agnes Lam Iok Fong of Macau Studies;
Editor-in-Chief Zhao Guoqiang of Macau Law Journal;
Director Li Xia of the Constitutional and Administrative Law Research Office, Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences;
Professor Song Meixian of the Law School, Shanghai Maritime University;
and specially invited guest Dean Paul T. Schrader of the Faculty of Law, Bielefeld University.
Group Photo
Deputy Director Liu Zhongfeng of the Legal Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Director Chen Xuwei of the Department of Students of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government; Acting Director Wong Ka Wai of the Department of Legal Promotion and Public Relations of the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government; President Vong Hin Fai of the Council of the Macao Lawyers Association; President Chu Beiping of Shanghai Maritime University; Vice President Tong Ka Lok of Macau University of Science and Technology; Secretary-General Du Huanfang of the Legal Education Research Association of the China Law Society; Editor-in-Chief Liu Xiaojun of the Rule of Law Branch, Social Sciences Academic Press (China); together with Prof. Fang Quan, Assistant Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Law of Macau University of Science and Technology, jointly officiated at the opening ceremony.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
(From left: Editor-in-Chief Liu Xiaojun, Vice President Tong Ka Lok, President Vong Hin Fai, Director Chen Xuwei, Deputy Director Liu Zhongfeng, Acting Director Wong Ka Wai, President Chu Beiping, Secretary-General Du Huanfang, and Dean Fang Quan)
Vice President Tong Ka Lok of Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), on behalf of the University, extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests attending the forum. He stated that the University is committed to cultivating high-quality talent for society, implementing a balanced approach to teaching and research, emphasizing its distinctive educational features, and pursuing excellence.
As one of the founding faculties of the University, the Faculty of Law has consistently upheld “Cross-Border law” and “multiculturalism” as its defining characteristics. As a higher education institution located at the forefront of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems,” legal education in Macao must be firmly rooted in Macao, oriented toward the nation, and open to the world. Therefore, this forum, which focuses on frontier issues of modern rule of law and contemporary legal education, is of great significance in the current era.
Although Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao share common roots, their legal systems each possess distinctive features. In this context, the launch of the Cross-Border Law Review will provide an academic platform for the coordinated development of legal education across the three regions. It will further promote interregional cooperation and mutual learning in legal education, foster a shared consensus for development, and jointly advance the cultivation of high-quality legal professionals and the high-quality development of legal research in the new era.
Remarks by Vice President Tong Ka Lok
President Chu Beiping of Shanghai Maritime University delivered remarks on behalf of the participating guests and extended his congratulations to the Faculty of Law of Macau University of Science and Technology. He noted that the “Forum of Deans of Law Schools from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao” has developed into an important platform for the legal education community across the three regions to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build consensus.
He further stated that the launch of the inaugural issue of the Cross-Border Law Review provides a high-level academic platform for the legal community in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as internationally, to focus on cross-border legal issues, comparative law, international law, and regional rule of law.
Remarks by President Chu Beiping
Secretary-General Du Huanfang, on behalf of the Legal Education Research Association of the China Law Society, extended his congratulations on the forum and the launch of the inaugural issue of the Cross-Border Law Review. He remarked that the publication of the new journal comes at a timely and significant moment. It serves not only as an important vehicle for deepening exchanges in legal education between Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, but also as a reflection of contemporary legal practice across different jurisdictions and regions.
He further expressed his expectation that the Cross-Border Law Review will take root in the fertile ground of the “One Country, Two Systems” practice, focus on pressing issues in the rule of law, and integrate developments in legal education across Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. He emphasized that the journal should strive to build a high-quality platform for academic exchange, provide strong intellectual support for advancing the integration of regional rule of law, and contribute to the cultivation of high-calibre legal professionals with expertise in foreign-related legal affairs.
Remarks by Secretary-General Du Huanfang
At the subsequent launch ceremony of the inaugural issue of the Cross-Border Law Review, Professor Fang Quan, Editor-in-Chief, expressed in her remarks sincere gratitude for the strong support of the University, the trust and assistance of cooperating publishing institutions, the rigorous academic guidance provided by members of the editorial board, as well as the valuable contributions from distinguished scholars.
She emphasized that the founding of the Cross-Border Law Review was not a momentary inspiration, but rather a long-cherished aspiration shared by colleagues of the Faculty of Law over many years. With the mission of “grounding itself in the exchange of diverse legal cultures and promoting dialogue among civilizations of the rule of law worldwide,” the journal features distinctive sections focusing on transregional rule of law, thematic studies, academic commentary, and developments in continental legal systems.
She further noted that the journal is committed to promoting dialogue and innovation in legal studies across different jurisdictions and disciplines, and expressed his hope that it will open up a new intellectual space for legal research at the intersection of multiple legal systems, regions, and academic fields.
Remarks by Editor-in-Chief Fang Quan
Editor-in-Chief Liu Xiaojun of the Rule of Law Branch, Social Sciences Academic Press (China) stated in his remarks that the Cross-Border Law Review is currently the only academic platform in China dedicated to cross regional legal studies, and has opened up a specialized forum for scholarly research covering cross-jurisdictional, cross-regional, and interdisciplinary legal issues.
He further noted that the inaugural issue features a distinguished lineup of contributors, and that its overall academic quality reflects both a strong commitment to national development and a broad international vision, setting a model for the establishment of academic serial publications. He expressed his hope that the journal will become a prominent academic hallmark of global significance for the Faculty of Law of Macau University of Science and Technology.
Executive Editor Wang Jian (first from left) presents copies of the journal to the distinguished guests
The forum consisted of three sessions. The first session, themed “Frontier Issues in Modern Rule of Law,” was chaired by Prof. Yi Zaicheng, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Law of MUST.
During this session, Dean Cui Guobin of the School of Law, Tsinghua University shared his latest research insights on the regulation of artificial intelligence from the perspective of intellectual property law. Dean Peng Yue of the Law School, Nanjing University conducted an in-depth discussion on issues concerning the interpretation and ascertainment of foreign law. Editor-in-Chief Wang Jiangyu of the Asia Pacific Law Review presented new normative frameworks for international rule-making in the context of geopolitics and sustainable development. Dean Zhou Jiang of the School of International Law, Southwest University of Political Science and Law analyzed key issues in global ocean governance and China’s participation therein. Dean Zhao Jingchen of the Law School, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics explored the functions, limitations, and refined regulation of AI empowerment in corporate boards of directors. Dean Paul T. Schrader of the Faculty of Law, Bielefeld University shared practical experiences in enhancing legal education through the use of artificial intelligence tools. Assistant Dean Zhai Xiaobo of the Faculty of Law, University of Macau engaged in theoretical reflections under the theme “Law and Rule of Law: The Chicken or the Egg?”
Deputy Director Xie Zengyi of the Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Director Li Xia of the Constitution and Administrative Law Research Office of the same institute, served as discussants for this session.
Session I of the Forum: “Frontier Issues in Modern Rule of Law”
(From left: Assistant Dean Yi Zaicheng, Dean Cui Guobin, Dean Peng Yue, Editor-in-Chief Wang Jiangyu, Dean Zhou Jiang, Dean Zhao Jingchen, Assistant Dean Zhai Xiaobo, Dean Paul T. Schrader, Deputy Director Xie Zengyi, and Director Li Xia)
The second session of the forum, themed “Modern Rule of Law and Legal Education (I),” was chaired by Mr. Bi Jingwei, Programme Director of the Faculty of Law of MUST.
During this session, Dean Liang Yingxiu of the Law School, Beijing Normal University analyzed the challenges and transformations faced by legal education in the digital era. Associate Dean Zhao Yun of the Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong shared insights into the concepts and pathways for cultivating legal professionals in foreign-related rule of law. Dean Du Tao of the International Law School, East China University of Political Science and Law presented his perspectives on the difficulties and corresponding strategies in training such professionals. Dean Zhang Liang of the Law School, Sun Yat-sen University discussed the improvement of practice-oriented mechanisms for cultivating legal professionals. Dean Cai Yingwen of the Law School, Qingdao University introduced practical explorations in training foreign-related legal talent oriented toward the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Editor-in-Chief Song Wei of Science, Technology and Law and Editor-in-Chief Zhao Guoqiang of Macau Law Review served as discussants for this session.
Session II of the Forum: “Modern Rule of Law and Legal Education (I)”
(From left: Programme Director Bi Jingwei, Dean Liang Yingxiu, Associate Dean Zhao Yun, Dean Du Tao, Dean Zhang Liang, Dean Cai Yingwen, Editor-in-Chief Zhao Guoqiang, and Editor-in-Chief Song Wei)
The third session of the forum, themed “Modern Rule of Law and Legal Education (II),” was chaired by Professor Wang Jian, Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Law of MUST.
During this session, Dean Pan Weijiang of the Law School, Beihang University shared explorations into the practical teaching system and methodologies of the Juris Master (JM) programme in China. Honorary Dean Qiang Li of the School of Economic Law, Northwest University of Political Science and Law elaborated on systematic reflections regarding the formulation of a Financial Law. Chair Professor Du Huanfang of Renmin University of China examined important pathways for cultivating legal professionals in foreign-related rule of law aligned with national strategic needs. Professor Song Meixian of the Law School, Shanghai Maritime University presented innovative paradigms and practical approaches for training foreign-related maritime legal professionals. Programme Director Mou Xiaobo of the Faculty of Law of MUST shared insights on legal education in the era of artificial intelligence.
Senior Editor Wang Lijun of Renmin University of China Reprinted Materials served as the discussant for this session.
Session III of the Forum: “Modern Rule of Law and Legal Education (II)”
(From left: Professor Wang Jian, Dean Pan Weijiang, Dean Qiang Li, Chair Professor Du Huanfang, Professor Song Meixian, Programme Director Mou Xiaobo, and Senior Editor Wang Lijun)
At the conclusion of the forum, Professor Yi Zaicheng, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Law of MUST, delivered the closing remarks. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all distinguished experts and scholars for gathering in Macao to witness the successful convening of the “5th Forum of Deans of Law Schools from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao,” as well as the launch of the new academic journal, the Review of Transregional Law.
He noted that the conclusion of this forum marks a new starting point for closer collaboration among all participants. The Faculty of Law of MUST will remain committed to serving as a bridge for transregional legal research and education. Looking ahead, he expressed the hope that, taking this forum and the establishment of the Review of Transregional Law as an opportunity, the Faculty will engage in more comprehensive, in-depth, and practical cooperation with law schools and research institutions. Together, they aim to cultivate outstanding legal professionals who meet the strategic needs of the nation in the new era, contribute to the development of a legal academic system and discourse system with Chinese characteristics that integrate both domestic and international perspectives, and offer the wisdom and strength of the legal community to ensure the steady and sustained implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, as well as to advance the rule of law in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.
Closing Remarks by Assistant Dean Yi Zaicheng
