Closing Ceremony of 2015 Program

On July 31st 2015, the closing ceremony ofthe 10th Summer Programme of the Academy was held at the Science and Art Centerof Xiamen University. The ceremony was moderated by Professor Chia-Jui Cheng,the Secretary-General of the Curatorium of Xiamen Academy of International Law.

This year, Xiamen Academy of InternationalLaw celebrated its 10th anniversary with a super-strong lineup. Sixworld-renowned international law scholars were invited to deliver lecturesduring the summer programme, including three judges from International Court ofJustice which were H. E. Judge Hisashi Owada, H. E. Judge James Crawford, andH. E. Judge Xue Hanqin. The other three scholars were Prof. Ernst-UlrichPetersmann, emeritus professor of international and European law at theEuropean University, Prof. Photini Pazartzis, member of the Human RightsCommittee ICCPR, and Prof. Chia-Jui Cheng, professor of international law atSoochowUniversity. It was worth mentioning that the newly established “China -Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) Exchange and ResearchPrograms on International Law” was implemented through the Summer Programme ofXiamen Academy. Twenty-two AALCO legal officials were sponsored by the Chinesegovernment to take the summer programme courses at the Xiamen Academy.

In the Closing Ceremony, Judge Owadadelivered a speech. He gave his congratulations on the students' graduation,hoping that the lectures of the professors would provide enlightenment and helpthe students to be independent thinkers within international law field in the future.Prof. Photini Pazartzis also made remarks. She thought that although thethree-week period of the programme was rather short, the contents were quitefull. Then Professor Zhu Yansheng, vice dean of the Law School of XiamenUniversity also gave congratulations on the students' achievements during thepast three weeks and thanked all lecturers for their diligence. He noted thatthe Academy as an academic communication platform provides a chance not onlyfor international law learners to discuss advanced questions, but also foryoung international law students to exchange their thoughts with the topexperts.

Then, representatives of students andvolunteers gave remarks. Mr Hassan Soleimani representing all participants ofthe China-AACLO Programme thanked the Chinese government for its strong supportto sponsor them to study international law fundamental theories at the summerprogramme. He believed that the programme would strengthen the cooperation andcommunications among the AACLO states and improve their capacity in promotingthe development of international law. Afterwards, Zhang Tianshu from ChinaUniversity of Political Science and Law represented Chinese students and gaveremarks. She considered the programme to be an academic feast and gave thanksto all professors. Mr Diego German Mejia-Lemos represented foreign students tosay something. He specially referred to the professors’ humors in teaching andthe vivid class atmosphere, equipping the students with unique academicexperiences. At last, Wu Nan as volunteer representative gave remarks. Shementioned that although the voluntary work was tough, it brought a sense ofachievement. The recognition given by the teachers and students was the bestreward to the volunteers' hard work. In the session of certificate delivery,Judge Owada, Professor Zeng Huaqun, Professor Photini Pazartzis, Professor ZhuYansheng and Professor Chen Huiping delivered various certificates includingthe certificate for attendance, the certificate for outstanding student, thecertificate for volunteer as well as the certificate for outstanding volunteer.

 Afterwards, Professor Zeng Huaqun, thePresident of the Academy gave a summary of the programme. He expressed histhanks to all the teachers, students and volunteers for their endeavor for thesuccess of the programme. He believed that the three world-renowned professorsand the three judges of the ICJ gave an excellent academic feast to all thestudents coming across the world. He noted that international hegemony still existedover the world, hence international law learners should appeal to internationaldemocracy positively and push forward the development of international legalorder further. Lastly, Professor Zeng inspired the audience with a local Minnansong "Try our best and we will win" and pushed the atmosphere of theceremony to a climax.

Finally, Professor Chia-Jui Cheng delivered a brief summary speech andwished everybody a pleasant and safe trip back home. Hence, the closingceremony of the 2015 Summer Programme of Xiamen Academy of International Lawcame to end successfully.

（Written by Ni Xiaolu inChinese/ Translated into English by Jiang Qin/ Photo by Dai Yingliang）