On the afternoon of April 24, 2025, Dean Liang Yingxiu and delegation from the BNU Law School visited the Beijing First Intermediate People’s Court (hereinafter referred to as the “First Intermediate Court”) to attend an exchange seminar and a signing and inauguration ceremony.

Prior to the signing, President Ma Qiang, Judicial Committee Member Zhao Yue, and relevant staff guided Dean Liang and his delegation on a tour of the court’s facilities. The visit covered the litigation service center, public interest lawyer consultation room, document transfer hub, judicial delivery center, financial service window, and the self-service inquiry area of the Beijing Bankruptcy Court, providing a detailed look at the operational workflows of each functional zone. Court staff also briefed the delegation on the Bankruptcy Court’s history, the exceptional caliber of its judges, and the practical outcomes of landmark cases. Additionally, the group visited the Party building activity center and reading area, immersing themselves in the court’s distinct cultural atmosphere.

The ensuing exchange seminar was chaired by Deputy Chief Judge Lou Yuhong, who outlined the court’s jurisdictional characteristics, talent management model, platform advantages, and recent achievements. In his remarks, President Ma spoke highly of BNU Law School graduates, noting that 13 alumni currently serve at the court. He commended their solid legal foundations and professional excellence, pointing out that several have already advanced into mid-level and senior management roles. He assured the delegation that the court will continue to provide these outstanding talents with ample opportunities for growth. Expressing high hopes for the partnership, President Ma emphasized the need to launch diverse exchange activities and build a pioneering, high-quality, and highly effective cooperative model. This collaborative effort, he noted, aims to cultivate well-rounded legal professionals equipped with both moral integrity and legal expertise for the new era, thereby elevating the construction of the rule of law in China to new heights.

In response, Dean Liang outlined the BNU Law School’s development history, highlighting its strengths in academic research and discipline building. He expressed a strong desire to establish a diversified practical training platform that seamlessly integrates academic exchange, research, professional training, and internships. This platform, he noted, will lay a solid foundation for nurturing high-caliber legal talents tailored to the needs of modern rule of law. He looked forward to integrating the court’s premium judicial resources into the university’s legal education system, working together to forge new pathways for cultivating practice-oriented legal talents.

Then a signing and inauguration ceremony was held. Yin Jianfeng and Lou Yuhong signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective institutions, followed by Dean Liang and President Ma jointly unveiling the plaque for the “Joint Practical Legal Talent Training Base of the Beijing First Intermediate People’s Court and the BNU Law School.”

Following the ceremony, the two sides held in-depth discussions on the specifics, objectives, and future roadmap of their partnership. Yin Jianfeng expressed sincere appreciation for the meticulous arrangements made by the First Intermediate Court and highly commended its judicial accomplishments. He voiced his hope that both institutions would synergize their respective strengths to pioneer a new paradigm for legal talent cultivation.

Wang Wenbo, Director of the Teaching and Training Department, and He Rui, Director of the Research Office at the First Intermediate Court, outlined their proposals regarding strategic cooperation directions, resource allocation, talent cultivation, professional empowerment, practical internships, and operational training.

Four BNU Law School alumni currently serving at the First Intermediate Court, Qiu Fangfang (Class of 2005, Deputy Chief Judge of the Comprehensive Trial Court for Minors), Zhu Feiyu (Class of 2015, Assistant Judge of the Administrative Court), Xu Xinfang (Class of 2013, Assistant Judge of the Civil Court No. 1), and Fan Jiaqi (Class of 2022, Assistant Judge of the Execution Court No. 1), shared insights into their respective roles. They also expressed strong interest in deepening the partnership between their alma mater and the court

The successful conclusion of this partnership initiative marks the dawn of deep-rooted collaboration between BNU Law School and the Beijing First Intermediate Court. Moving forward, the two institutions will engage in comprehensive cooperation spanning academic exchanges, joint research, talent cultivation, and practical internships. Together, they aim to pioneer new models for integrating legal education with judicial practice, thereby providing intellectual support and practical momentum for the advancement of legal disciplines and the building of a rule-of-law nation in China.

Also in attendance at the symposium were Yang Lei, Director of the General Office of the Beijing First Intermediate Court, and Fang Shuo, an office staff member. They were joined by BNU Law School faculty and staff members, including Professors Wang Qinghua (Constitutional and Administrative Law Research Center); Associate Professor Zhao Xiaoshu (Director of the Civil and Commercial Law Research Center); Lecturer Yang Lin (Litigation Law Research Center); Assistant Lecturer Ai Huizi (Economic Law and Environmental Resources Law Research Center); as well as Liu Hang (Office Director) and Yang Jiayue (Office Secretary).