From January 10 to 11, the Sixth Council Meeting of the Mainland–Hong Kong–Macao Legal Education Alliance, together with a symposium entitled “Rule of Law Innovation in the Digital Era: Coordinated Development of Legal Education in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao,” was held in Chongqing. The event was hosted by the Mainland–Hong Kong–Macao Legal Education Alliance and organized by Southwest University of Political Science and Law. The meeting brought together more than 40 legal scholars and representatives from over 20 universities. As a member institution of the Alliance, representatives including the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, the School of Civil and Commercial Law, and the School of Criminal Law attended the meeting.
At the meeting, the Alliance Council reported its work for 2025, approved the admission of new member institutions, and discussed the work plan for 2026. Participants also exchanged views on practical experiences in promoting education and awareness of China’s Constitution, the Basic Law, and the National Security Law among students from Hong Kong and Macao studying at mainland universities.
Wang Menglin, Deputy Director of the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, attended the meeting. She introduced the efforts to cultivate legally trained professionals from Hong Kong and Macao with a strong sense of national identity and commitment to the rule of law. NWUPL has established a comprehensive educational approach that integrates coursework with practical activities, including a structured curriculum related to the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the National Security Law, as well as a range of thematic programs. These initiatives encourage Hong Kong and Macao students to move from being learners to active participants in promoting legal awareness, thereby strengthening their understanding of the rule of law and sense of responsibility. The university will continue to explore more targeted training approaches, strengthen the development of specialized teaching teams, and further enhance the quality and effectiveness of education for students from Hong Kong and Macao.
During the symposium, participants engaged in discussions on topics such as the international communication and development of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law.
Associate Professor Lan Di from the School of Criminal Law delivered a presentation entitled “Cultivating Foreign-Related Criminal Justice Professionals and Building Cooperation Mechanisms from the Perspective of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law.” He highlighted the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and analyzed the key objectives in training professionals in foreign-related criminal justice. Associate Professor Ma Wenhua from the School of Civil and Commercial Law delivered a presentation entitled “Building a Cooperative Mechanism for Legal Talent Development in the Digital Era between the Mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao.” She analyzed the strengths and challenges of legal education and proposed the concept of a cross-regional community for cultivating legal talent, aiming at fostering interdisciplinary professionals with expertise in digital governance and the rule of law.
The Mainland–Hong Kong–Macao Legal Education Alliance was jointly initiated in 2017 by China University of Political Science and Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The University of Macau. The Alliance aims to promote exchanges and cooperation in legal education among the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, facilitate the sharing of high-quality educational resources, and jointly contribute to the cultivation of legal talent and the development of China’s legal theoretical system. The Alliance currently comprises 23 member institutions. NWUPL joined the Alliance in 2021 and has actively participated in its activities.
NWUPL will further expand cooperation with universities and relevant institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, focusing on the cultivation of foreign-related rule of law professionals. It will also continue to engage in initiatives related to the rule of law development in the digital era, contributing to deeper collaboration in legal education between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao and supporting China’s efforts to advance foreign-related rule of law.
