On April 29, 2017, "Seminar for Early Professional Scholars in Environmental Law" held in Hong Kong. The seminar was host by the Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Law, co-organized by Research Institute of Environmental Law, Wuhan University (RIEL). The purpose of the seminar was to assist early professional scholars in environmental law to improve their written works for publication. Prof. Ben Boer and Prof. Zhang Zhiwei attended the seminar.

The form of the seminar is very novel, mainly in the form of grouping and giving peer response. Scholars in one group introduce each other's works, after the group discussing, all scholars are to comment on each group. Prof. Ben Boer and Prof. Zhang Zhiwei also participated in the discussion of the meeting acting as the role of discusser and chairman. Through this innovative approach, each participant of early professional scholars and senior experts can conduct a rigorous review to each of the written works. The seminar will be conducive to create a high-level scholarship culture in Asia and other areas, and to facilitate potential environmental law scholars.

It is reported that the total of eight scholars from the global 45 applicants in the fierce competition stand out. Successful scholars applicants include two doctoral students from Australia, one Indian Mumbai professional lawyer, an Indian doctorate applicant from the London Oriental and African Studies Institute, an assistant Prof. from the Law School of Indian Institute of Science and Technology, and three Chinese scholars: an lecturer from China University of Political Science and Law, an researcher from Canadian International Governance Innovation Center, doctoral applicants from University of British Columbia, Canada.