The Supreme People's Court held its very first Top Justice Forum in China's Guangdong province. The chief justice and president of the SPC welcomed his counterparts - mainly from Portuguese-speaking countries - and signed the Guangzhou Declaration to boost ties. CGTN's Hou Na reports from Guangzhou.

It is a first for China in the judicial field.

LIU GUIXIANG, CHIEF COMMISSIONER JUDICIAL COMMITTEE, SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT "It is the first event of judicial cooperation between China and other countries after the 19th Party Congress. There are vast space of cooperation in the judicial field especially under the China's proposed Belt and Road Initiative between China and Portuguese-speaking countries."

Chief Justice Zhou Qiang addressed his counterparts by announcing a congratulatory letter sent by President Xi Jinping. He briefed his guests about the rule of law in China and judicial reform, stressing that judicial cooperation is closer than ever because of the Belt and Road Initiative. The SPC is willing to conduct more cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries in case studies, judge training, court information, protection of intellectual property, and the fight against transnational crimes. The Chief Justice from Sao Tome and Principe said China's progress in smart courts impressed him most.

MANUEL SILVA GOMES CRAVID, PRESIDENT SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT, SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE "I'm very impressed by the congratulatory letter sent by President Xi Jinping. I'm looking forward to expanding cooperation with China in smart court reform and the training of judges."

Senior law officials from Portuguese-speaking countries outlined the achievements in the law sectors of their own countries. They expressed their willingness to have closer ties and deepened judicial cooperation with the SPC of China.

HOU NA GUANGZHOU "The event culminated in the signing of the joint Guangzhou Declaration by chief justices from China and the other participating countries. HOU NA, CGTN, GUANGZHOU, GUANGDONG PROVINCE."