On April 23, 2025, the 62nd session of the BNU Zhuhai Legal Lecture Series, titled "The Ownership System in Roman Law and Its Enlightenment on the Reform of China's Property Rights System," was successfully held in Classroom C301 of the Lijiao Building at BNU Zhuhai. The lecture was delivered by Professor Zhang Lihong, Director of the Research Center for Roman Law and European Law at East China University of Political Science and Law. The event was hosted by Associate Professor Zhang Zongqing, Deputy Director of the Center on the Rule of Law and Development at Beijing Normal University. Faculty member Mo Yangshen from the center, along with several master's and doctoral students from the Zhuhai campus, attended the session.

At the outset, Associate Professor Zhang Zongqing formally introduced the speaker, Professor Zhang Lihong, and extended a warm welcome. Professor Zhang used the ownership system as a starting point to provide a detailed overview of ownership in both Roman and Chinese law, with a specific focus on the connections and distinctions between ownership and possession.

First, from the perspective of Chinese law, Professor Zhang explained the concept, characteristics, powers, and classifications of ownership, emphasizing the distinction between ownership and possession. He pointed out the historical origins and understanding of the ownership system within the Chinese legal context. Subsequently, he provided a detailed introduction to the characteristics and powers of ownership, using examples to vividly illustrate the concepts of ownership classification for the students.

Secondly, Professor Zhang introduced ownership in Roman law, covering civil law ownership, praetorian ownership, provincial land ownership, and usufruct. He emphasized the distinction between possession and ownership in Roman law and compared the differences between the Chinese and Roman legal systems. Based on this comparison, he proposed suggestions for improving the ownership system in Chinese law.

Following the lecture, the attendees engaged in a lively discussion. Two students posed questions regarding the applicability of the statute of limitations in China and the uniqueness of possession's impact on ownership. Professor Zhang illustrated the importance of the statute of limitations through examples, arguing that the uniqueness of possession does not undermine ownership.

Finally, Associate Professor Zhang Zongqing expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the college to Professor Zhang Lihong for delivering such an academically profound lecture. The students present expressed that they benefited greatly, noting that the insightful talk not only broadened their academic horizons but also deepened their understanding of this important legal issue, providing valuable theoretical resources for their future research.