On 21st December, the series of lectures on humanities and scientific quality for postgraduates was held in the lecture hall on the first floor of Li Wenzheng Library, and simultaneously online through Tencent conference platform. Zhou Yezhong, senior professor of humanities and social sciences, doctoral supervisor of Wuhan University, and director of Wuhan University's Research Centre for Party Laws and Regulations, gave a lecture on the theme of ‘Deepening Reforms on the Rule of Law Track and Promoting Chinese Modernisation with Xi Jinping's Thought on the Rule of Law as the Guidance’. The lecture was hosted by the Graduate Student Association of the Law School of Southeast University, with the participation of more than 300 students from Southeast University. Meng Hongzhi, professor and doctoral supervisor of the School of Law, presided over the lecture.
Before the start of the lecture, Professor Meng Hongzhi warmly welcomed Professor Zhou Yecong and briefly introduced Professor Zhou's outstanding achievements and contributions. Professor Zhou Yezhong has rich practical experience in the industry and profound knowledge of jurisprudence, and has been awarded as one of the ‘Ten Outstanding Young Jurists’ in China. He has published more than 300 academic papers and won more than 60 awards of various kinds.
Lecture Review
At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Zhou Yezhong started from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which passed the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reforms and Promoting Chinese Modernisation, proposing ‘deepening reforms and promoting Chinese modernisation on the track of the rule of law’, and the laying of the track of the rule of law requires certain theoretical and ideological guidance, thus leading to this lecture. This leads to Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law, which is the central topic of this lecture. Then, Professor Zhou explained and taught Xi Jinping Rule of Law Thought in three main aspects.
Firstly, Professor Zhou Yezhong stressed that Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law is an action guide for deepening reform and promoting Chinese-style modernisation. Starting from the three dimensions that the rule of law is the basic element of a modernised country, the rule of law is an important guarantee of Chinese-style modernisation, and Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law is a theoretical summary of the practice of promoting Chinese-style modernisation of the rule of law, he expounded the guiding status of Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law in the comprehensive rule of law, pointing out that Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law is an important landmark outcome of the historic achievements of China's socialist rule of law since the 18th Party Congress.
Professor Zhou Yezhong then explained in detail and systematically the core essence of Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law, i.e. the ‘eleven adherences’, including adherence to the Party's leadership of the rule of law, adherence to people-centredness, adherence to the path of the rule of law of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adherence to the rule of law in accordance with the Constitution, and adherence to governing in accordance with the Constitution, and other contents. Professor Zhou deeply analysed the rich connotation of the Eleven Insistences, and clarified the status and value of each of them in the process of ruling the country according to law in an all-round way. Among them, for ‘adhering to the Party's leadership of the rule of law’, Professor Zhou stressed that adhering to the Party's leadership and adhering to the rule of law are unified, and contrasted the differences between Chinese and Western political parties, which highlights the distinctive political character of the CPC; for ‘adhering to the road of the rule of law of socialism with Chinese characteristics’, Professor Zhou explored the differences between Chinese and Western political parties by discussing the importance of the rule of law of socialism with Chinese characteristics. On ‘adhering to the road of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics’, Professor Zhou discussed the necessity of forming ‘Chinese characteristics’ by exploring the theoretical misunderstanding of ‘universal values’; on ‘adhering to promoting the rule of law at home and abroad in an integrated manner’, Professor Zhou suggested that China's leadership and adherence to the rule of law are unified. For ‘insisting on promoting the domestic rule of law and foreign rule of law in an integrated manner’, Professor Zhou put forward the problems of unsound rule of law in foreign affairs and serious lack of talents in our country. ...... Professor Zhou's detailed explanation of the ‘Eleven Insistences’ enabled students to have a more in-depth understanding and grasp of Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law. The students have a deeper understanding and grasp of Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law.
Finally, Professor Zhou Yezhong put forward six suggestions on how to improve the rule of law system to ensure reform and Chinese-style modernisation under the guidance of Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law. First, we should adhere to the ‘two establishments’ and ‘two safeguards’, focusing on the decisive significance of the ‘two establishments’ in the development of the Party and the country in the new era and the promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Secondly, by improving the constitutional review process, it will be possible for the Party and the country to establish the ‘two establishments’ and ‘two safeguards’. Secondly, measures have been taken to deepen reform in the field of legislation by improving the system of constitutional review and record review. Third, we will further promote administration in accordance with the law. Fourth, improve the institutional mechanism for the fair enforcement of the law and the administration of justice. Fifth, improving the mechanism for promoting the construction of a society based on the rule of law. Sixth, strengthening the rule of law in foreign affairs.
During the exchange session, Prof Zhou Yezhong gave detailed answers to the questions raised by the students on the spot, and shared his views on the unique position and role of the Party's internal regulations in the national governance system. During the conversation, Professor Zhou also mentioned that he has insisted on running in the morning for more than 40 years, forming the habit of thinking about problems and organising his thoughts during the running process. At the same time, running can exercise our willpower, and with a strong will, we will not be afraid of any challenges in our life. Professor Zhou encouraged students to be persistent not only in running, but also on the road of life, to build up a strong will, and to keep knowing themselves and overcoming themselves.
At the end of the lecture, Professor Liu Qichuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Law School, presented Professor Zhou Yezhong with a cultural and creative souvenir of Southeast University.
In this two-hour lecture, Prof Zhou Yezhong gave a comprehensive, profound and authoritative interpretation of Xi Jinping's Rule of Law Thought with his profound legal knowledge and political wisdom, and carried out a vivid and wonderful law class and party class for students, which enabled them to deeply understand the rich connotation and great significance of Xi Jinping's Rule of Law Thought. The lecture was a complete success.
Text:Li Zhiwen
Photo:Pan Chenrong