China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law and Asian Academy of International Law signs MOU for Cooperation

On July 7, 2017, China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law (CAERP), which is operated by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed an Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation with Asian Academy of International Law (AAIL), which is headquartered in Hong Kong. According to the MOU, the two sides will cooperate in the area of international law research and training, including jointly organizing international law training courses and symposiums, jointly conducting research on key international law issues, providing convenience and assistance to the activities organized by the other side, and conducting other cooperative activities that are consistent with the nature and mandate of each side. Dr. Xu Hong, Director General of the Department of Treaty and Law of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of CAERP, and Ms. Teresa Cheng, GBS, SC, JP, on behalf of AAIL, signed the MOU.

CAERP was initiated by China's Premier Li Keqiang at the opening ceremony of the annual session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization held in Beijing in April 2015. This program is managed by the Department of Treaty and Law of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is intended to promote capacity building in international law in Asian and African countries by conducting training courses, symposiums and research. AAIL is an independent non-profit organization founded in Hong Kong. It aims to facilitate the study, research and development of international law in Asia. The signing of the MOU will allow both sides to take advantage of their respective strengths and jointly contribute to the promotion of exchange and cooperation in international law among Asian and African countries. As the first outcome of the cooperation after signing the MOU, AAIL will undertake part of the third training session of CAERP in Hong Kong in late September, offering a platform for legal studies for legal officials from Asia and Africa.