The China-ASEAN Legal Forum High-Level Seminar on Promoting Rule of Law for Sustainable Development

China Law Society (CLS) and Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) jointly host the China-ASEAN Legal Forum High-Level Seminar on Promoting Rule of Law for Sustainable Development in Beijing on 13^th May 2016. The Seminar is co-sponsored by SouthWest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL), China-ASEAN Legal Research Center (CALC), and the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Over a hundred ASEAN and Chinese legal scholars and experts attend the seminar, including Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha and the Executive Vice President of CLS, Chen Jiping. Vice President of CALC and President of SWUPL, Professor Fu Zitang, delivers panel speech at the Seminar. Secretary General of CALC and Dean of the School of International Law at SWUPL, Professor Zhang Xiaojun, hosts the panel discussion and the closing ceremony.

Zhang Mingqi, President of CALC, awards HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha with the certificate of Honorary Advisor of CALC

Professor Fu Zitang, President of SWUPL and Vice President of CALC, awards HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha with the certificate of Honorary Professor of SWUPL

Professor Fu Zitang and Executive Director of TIJ, Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak, sign on the Memorandum of Understanding for further collaboration between CALC and TIJ

Secretary General of CALC and Dean of the School of International Law at SWUPL, Professor Zhang Xiaojun, hosts the panel discussion and the closing ceremony

At the Seminar, Vice President of CLS and President of CALC, Zhang Mingqi, and Professor Fu Zitang respectively present HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha with certificates of Honorary Advisor of CALC and Honorary Professor of SWUPL. Professor Fu Zitang and Executive Director of TIJ, Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak, sign on the Memorandum of Understanding for further collaboration between CALC and TIJ.

In the keynote speech, HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha emphasizes that the “One Belt One Road” initiative creates new opportunities for countries on the New Land and Maritime Silk Road. The initiative will achieve long-lasting and widespread impact provided that it gives attention to the rule of law inside these countries. Secondly, China and ASEAN should collaboratively explore strategies to speed up exchange of information on the development of rule of law and of the legal systems.

Vice President of SWUPL and President of CALC delivers the panel speech

Vice President of SWUPL and President of CALC hosts the opening ceremony

Professor Fu Zitang stresses the importance of training global-minded legal talents versed in the languages, cultures and social systems of Thailand and China, in deepening collaboration between both countries. Professor Fu proposes promotion of legal education of both countries concurrently to carrying out short-term legal exchange programs. He suggests further cooperation in degree-seeking education to enhance legal understanding between the two countries. He states that SWUPL is willing and has the capacities to engage in this area of partnership to expedite legal communication and collaboration between China and Thailand.

The following also present at the Seminar: President of Committee for Peace and Conciliation in Asia, former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Executive Director of TIJ, Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak, and Director of the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Li Lin, and Deputy Director, Mo Jizhong.

Vice President of CLS, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of CALC, Zhang Mingqi, stresses that the Seminar opens a new chapter in legal communication and collaboration between China and ASEAN, especially between China and Thailand.

HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha pays her first visit to China on 12^th to 14^th of May, 2016. Vice President of China, Li Yuanchao greeted HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha in Beijing on 13^th May.