CityUHK School of Law celebrates the 18th anniversary of the Chinese Judges Programme cultivating international rule of law talent for the Nation

Poying Hung

25 Mar 2025

main — (From left) Professor Lin, Professor Lee Chun-sing, Provost and Deputy President of CityUHK, President Boey, Mr Feng, Mr Li, Mr Liu, Mr Ngai, Professor Kevin Downing, Secretary to Council and Court, Professor Lu Chun, Vice-President (Mainland Strategy) and Executive President of CityUHK (Dongguan).

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)’s School of Law recently celebrated the 18th anniversary of its esteemed “Chinese Judges Programme” with a special event in Beijing. The celebration was honoured by the presence of Mr Li Chengyu, President of the National Judges College and Judicial Case Academy of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China (PRC); Mr Liu Chunhua, Director-General of the Legal Affairs Department at the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Mr Feng Wei, Former Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. The event underscored CityUHK School of Law’s significant achievements in international legal education and reinforced its robust cooperative ties with Mainland judicial institutions.

The CityUHK School of Law has cultivated a total of 380 students from the Master of Laws in Common Law Programme for Chinese Judges, 160 students from the Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) Programme for Chinese Senior Judges, and 467 students from the Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges. These graduates have become vital contributors to the development of the Nation’s rule of law. Alumni and current participants in CityUHK’s Chinese Judges Programme are actively engaged in civil and commercial adjudication and foreign-related adjudication, serving as crucial bridges in domestic and international communication.

President Boey (left) presents souvenirs to Mr Li.

In his opening speech, Mr Li highlighted that many graduates nurtured by the programme have made remarkable contributions to the Nation’s rule of law through their professional expertise and exceptional talents. This event not only serves as a platform for learning and exchange but also acts as a vital bridge connecting the legal communities of Hong Kong and the Mainland. It is hoped that this will foster deeper communication and collaboration between the legal sectors of both regions, contributing to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In recent years, cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in the legal field has become increasingly close. In this new era, foreign-related talents, equipped with an open outlook and professional skills, have displayed the prowess of Chinese legal professionals on the international stage. Mr Li anticipates that both sides will deepen their collaboration and broaden the scope of their partnership in the future, continually enriching and improving the course content to meet the evolving demands of the times.

Mr Michael Ngai, Chairman of the CityUHK Council, emphasised the University’s commitment to fostering close links and deep collaboration with Mainland partner institutions. He remarked on the rule of law’s pivotal role in governance and national stability. He noted that CityUHK enjoys a unique role as the only higher-education institution in the HKSAR offering training programmes for Mainland judges, acknowledging the university’s significant responsibility. Under the guidance of The Supreme People’s Court of the PRC, the CityUHK School of Law, in partnership with the National Judges College, has been instrumental in systematically cultivating talents in foreign-related adjudication, contributing to the Nation’s legal expertise.

Professor Freddy Boey, President of CityUHK, highlighted the School of Law’s pioneering role in promoting internationalisation. He noted that CityUHK’s academic excellence is reflected in its strong rankings. In the recently released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2025, CityUHK was ranked 10th in Asia and 3rd in Hong Kong. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, the School of Law was ranked 42nd globally, 7th in Asia and 2nd in Hong Kong. Furthermore, Law & Legal Studies was ranked 56th globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, demonstrating the University’s strengths in teaching, research and internationalisation.

Professor Lin Feng, Dean of the CityUHK School of Law, noted that CityUHK will continue to leverage its academic strengths and Hong Kong’s legal-education resources to cultivate more foreign-related legal talents proficient in common law and international law, further contributing to the modernisation of the Nation’s legal system.