United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visits China
23-26 April 2019
Beijing, People's Republic of China
At the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Beijing from 23 to 26 April 2019. The main objective of this mission was to participate in the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Upon arrival in Beijing, Mr. Serpa Soares was received and welcomed by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. KONG Xuanyou for a courtesy call during which current matters of common interest were discussed.
On 24 April 2019, Mr. Serpa Soares visited the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). At CUPL, Mr. Serpa Soares was hosted by the President of the University, Professor HUANG Jin, who briefed the Legal Counsel on the history, mission and mandate of the University and introduced him to Vice-President Professor MA Huaide, the Deans and Party Secretaries of the different schools and other staff and members of the faculty. Mr. Serpa Soares delivered a lecture at CUPL entitled “International Law at the United Nations – A conversation with the United Nations Legal Counsel”. After delivering the lecture which focussed on current topical legal issues faced by the Office of Legal Affairs, Mr. Serpa Soares took a number of questions from students and had a lively discussion with them.
The UN Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, at the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL)
In the evening, Dr. XU Hong, Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, hosted a dinner for the Legal Counsel. In his toast, the Legal Counsel thanked Dr. Xu for the strong support and excellent cooperation over the many years of his tenure as Director-General and warmly congratulated him on his appointment a Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On 25 April 2019, Mr. Serpa Soares participated in the Thematic Forum on Clean Silk Road where he delivered welcoming remarks alongside of H.E. Mr. KONG Xuanyou, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. LI Shulei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Vice Chairman of the National Commission of Supervision.
On 26 April 2019, the United Nations Legal Counsel participated in the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation as member of the delegation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.