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"The Fifth Congress of Lusophone Countries Law" was held at Ho Yin Convention Centre of the University on 11 December. The theme of the two-day Conference was "The Legal Challenges and Opportunities Facing the 'Belt and Road' Initiative in the Afro-Asian Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Macau's Platform Role". Legal experts and scholars had in-depth discussion and exchanged views on topics including "Challenges and Opportunities of International Trade Regulations: Liberalism or Protectionism?", "Challenges and Opportunities of International Business Regulations: Investment, Labour and Taxation" and "Challenges and Opportunities of the Practices of International. Arbitration for the Belt and Road Initiative". The Congress was organized by Institute for Lusophone Countries Law of the University, co-organized by the Justice Affairs Bureau of Macau SAR, NOVA School of Law of Lisbon and Centre for Research on Law and Society, and sponsored by the Macao Foundation. Ms. Chan Hoi Fan, Secretary for the Office of Administration and Justice, Mr. Liu Dexue, Director of of Legal Affairs Bureau, Mr. Wang Jiabao, Deputy Director General of the Trade Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macau SAR, Ms. Xu Yingzhen Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macau, Mr. Vitor Sereno, Consul General of Portugal in Macau & Hong Kong, Prof. Jorge Bacelar Gouveia, President of Institute for Lusophone Countries Law and Prof. Shu Guang Zhang, Rector of the University, and leaders, experts and scholars from Portuguese-speaking countries attended the Congress. Ms. Chan Hoi Fan, Prof. Jorge Bacelar Gouveia and Prof. Shu Guang Zhang delivered their speeches at the opening ceremony. Ms. Chan Hoi Fan said that with the commencement of 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has entered a new era. In view of the emphasis on upholding ‘One Country Two Systems’ and following the 14-point fundamental principles for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, Macau would achieve greater development only if the SAR government updated and improved its legal system, and only if there are concerted efforts from different sectors of society. She hoped that by having diversified discussions based on in-depth knowledge in theories and with feasible ideas, the Congress would help promote further and deeper cooperation between Macau and Portuguese speaking countries in the areas of commerce, trade and law, and that would be important for strengthening Macau’s legal system. Both Prof. Zhang Shu Guang and Prof. Jorge Bacelar Gouveia pointed out that the Congress would help promote Macau as a platform for communication between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as the Congress sought to contribute to the implementation of the ‘Belt and Road’ strategy and at the same time provide an opportunity to explore the legal practicality involved in regional cooperation. Prof. Zhang stressed that the City University of Macau had its roots in Macau’s cooperation platform while adhering to national policies and directions. He hoped that through the Congress, the University could tie in with the Nation’s development strategy, foster cooperation with industries and industry associations, and drive the development of the University as a research and study base and education center. With the implementation of the “Belt and Road” strategy and the progress made, no doubt there would be more frequent economic and cultural communication and cooperation between China and Portuguese speaking countries. It is law that provided basic protection for business and trade investment and the flow of people between countries. The Congress not only provided an opportunity for understanding Portuguese-speaking countries’ legal systems in the context of ‘Belt and Road’ strategy, it also explored the ways Macao could become a legal platform for China and Portuguese speaking countries. Experts and scholars who attended the Congress presented their research in legal issues arising from “Belt and Road” initiative, including trade law, investment law, tax law and international arbitration. They provided new perspectives to the legal challenges facing economic and trade relations between China and Portuguese speaking countries and put forward strategies to overcome them, laying down a far reaching roadmap for the development of Macau’s legal system. After the opening ceremony of the Congress, Ms. Chan Hoi Fan and Mr. Liu Dexue listened to the current developments and future plans of the University. They hoped the University can leverage different types of education resources to develop diversified scientific research projects, so that it would continue to serve the community and perform the roles of a think tank in promoting regional economic development.
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