Asian Center for WTO & International Health Law and Policy Hosts a Symposium – “A 70-Year Journey with Professor Chang-fa Lo: Laughter in Life, Deliberation in Law, and Lessons in Negotiation”

Asian Center for WTO & International Health Law and Policy Hosts a Symposium – “A 70-Year Journey with Professor Chang-fa Lo: Laughter in Life, Deliberation in Law, and Lessons in Negotiation”

To celebrate the 70th birthday of Professor Chang-fa Lo, former Dean of the College of Law at National Taiwan University (NTU), Grand Justice of Taiwan’s Constitutional Court, Permanent Representative of Taiwan’s Mission to the WTO, and most importantly, the founder of the Asian Center for WTO & International Health Law and Policy (ACWH), the Center hosted a commemorative symposium titled “A 70-Year Journey with Professor Chang-fa Lo: Laughter in Life, Deliberation in Law, and Lessons in Negotiation” on the afternoon of October 2, 2026. Alumni, friends, students, and distinguished guests from various fields gathered to reflect on Professor Lo’s profound impact on international trade and economic law, international health law, international dispute resolution,  and other areas of law.

The first half of the symposium commenced with the opening remarks by Professor Yueh-Ping (Alex) Yang, ACWH’s director, and Professor Huang-Yu Wang, Dean of NTU College of Law, followed by the presentation of a Festschrift in honor of Professor Lo’s professional achievements, titled “New Frontiers in Trade, Health and Human Rights: A Dialogue with Professor Chang-fa Lo”. Authors and former students were invited to share memories and anecdotes about Professor Lo and reflect on their connections with him, including the Festschrift’s Editorial Committee members, Professors Tsai-Yu Lin, Pei-Kan Yang, Tsai-Fang Chen, and Mao-Wei Lo. Participants recalled Professor Lo’s warm, gracious demeanor and deep concern for the younger generation, and expressed their gratitude for the opportunities he selflessly provided for them to engage in international affairs and academic exchanges. These experiences not only broadened their horizons but also brought positive, far-reaching changes to their lives. The alumni extended heartfelt birthday wishes, thanking their mentor for guiding them into academia and legal practice.

The second half of the event, moderated by Professor Lo, featured scholars and practitioners from various fields sharing their experiences working with Professor Lo, including Mei-Ling Hsiao (Former Deputy Minister of Taiwan’s Department of Health), John Chen-Chung Deng (Taiwan’s Former Minister without Portfolio), Fuldien Li (Taiwan’s Former Legislative Yuan Member), Youn-Qian Wu (Chairperson of the Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei), Tsai-Yu Lin (ACWH’s Former Director), Guang-Hwa Yang (National Chengchi University Professor), Nigel Nien-Tsu Li (Lee and Li’s Former Chairperson), and Pijan Wu (LCS & Partners’ Senior Counsel). Speaking from various perspectives, the speakers highlighted Professor Lo’s extraordinary contributions, including advancing domestic and international law in the field of global health governance, laying the foundation for Taiwan’s open international trade system, and providing the government with ongoing professional advice and policy research. Professor Lo also achieved remarkable results and demonstrated dedication during his service as Grand Justice of Taiwan’s Constitutional Court and Permanent Representative of Taiwan’s Mission to the WTO. The guests warmly recounted stories of their work together and spoke of his modesty and warmth in private.

During the event, Professor Lo fondly reflected on his life’s journey—from waking up at 3 a.m. every day to sell tofu in his youth, through attending college, studying abroad, and pursuing an academic career, to serving in public affairs and engaging in international organizations. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the enduring trust and support of his wife, friends, and younger colleagues over the years. He emphasized that building a strong international economic law community is ultimately about laying a solid foundation for the next generation, and expressed his hope that everyone would strive to “be a good person and do good things.” The symposium concluded on a warm and moving note, reflecting the high regard in which Professor Lo is held as an educator and scholar.