The opening ceremony of the "Legal Culture Lecture of Beijing Normal University", sponsored by Beijing Normal University Law School and undertaken by Beijing Hedal Law Firm, was grandly held at 15:00 on June 25, 2021 in the fifth conference room of Jingshi Building. Distinguished professor Mi Jian, Beijing Normal University Law School and Research Center for Rule of Law Development of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, gave the first lecture on "Legal Culture Lecture of Beijing Normal University" with the title Chinese Culture and the Community of Human Destiny. In just four hours, there was a wonderful feast of knowledge gathered by hundreds of experts and talents.
The event was hosted by Professor Yuan Zhijie, Associate Dean of Beijing Normal University Law School. Professor Yuan Zhijie first introduced the origin of " Legal Culture Lecture of Beijing Normal University", and then based on Professor Mi Jian's article Legal Cultural Communication and Cultural Subject Consciousness published in 2012, introduced the theme of this lecture, "Chinese Culture and the Community of Human Destiny". Professor Yuan Zhijie pointed out that as far as legal culture is concerned, there is always an interactive relationship between locality and universality. From this, Chinese civilization and human civilization are also an interactive relationship, and Chinese culture is closely related to the community of human destiny.
[Speech part]
Next, Professor Chai Rong, Associate Dean of Beijing Normal University Law School, and Dr. Yu Chen, Director of Beijing Hedal Law Firm delivered speeches for the launching ceremony.
On behalf of the Law School, Professor Chai Rong first extended a warm welcome to Professor Mi Jian, a powerful scholar, and fully affirmed the theme of this lecture. Professor Chai Rong particularly pointed out that under the background of constructing and promoting Xi Jinping thought on the rule of law, the dialogue between Chinese and western legal cultures is very important. How to excavate and sort out Chinese traditional legal culture and echo with western legal culture has become a very important topic in the field of law.
Director Yu Chen thanked all the guests for coming. Director Yu Chen pointed out that there is a sharp contrast between the fervor of practical research and the lack of legal culture research. If the construction of the rule of law abandons the study of legal culture and only relies on the practical circles to promote it, it will not reach its due height. Legal culture plays a stable role in the process of building the rule of law. As legal persons, we should do our part in the research of legal culture.
[Start with the first lecture]
In the formal opening session, Professor Mi Jian gave a speech with lofty ideas, rich connotations and profound thoughts around " Chinese Culture and the Community of Human Destiny". Professor Mi Jian took "What kind of culture can accompany China's rise?" "What can we do in the process of building a community of human destiny?" And other issues, elaborated on "Chinese culture and its position in the future world culture", and also answered the question of building a community of human destiny.
Regarding Chinese culture and its position in the future world culture, Professor Mi Jian first said that the 21st century is a century of culture, and culture is "the cognitive method and knowledge composition that influences and dominates people's behavior and life style, is a life attitude and world outlook, and is a knowledge system and ideological tradition with driving force and braking force". Later, Professor Mi Jian elaborated on the five characteristics of Chinese culture and "three wins and three lost".
On the question of "how to solve the problem of building a community of human destiny", Professor Mi Jian first thought that human destiny is an inevitable law, which is an inevitable and unchangeable objective law. Furthermore, Professor Mi Jian analyzed the path of building a community of human destiny. History can tell us that the imperial world formed by strength does not last long, and the community formed based on values can survive. For this reason, the construction of the community of human destiny can only be carried out on the premise that all members of human society recognize or approve it. Professor Mi Jian pointed out that universal value is the life experience and rationality of all civilized nations, not what some people think is the specialty of western culture, but its essence is the common value of all mankind. The combination of Chinese virtue culture and western intellectual culture will surely lead to a great leap forward in human civilization.
[Evaluation part]
Professor Zhang Baosheng, former vice president of China University of Political Science and Law and Institute of Evidence Science, commented that the process of China's rise must be supported by the essence of Chinese culture, and we should use all outstanding achievements of human culture to comprehensively promote the construction of China ruled by law. There is a conflict between Chinese and Western cultures, but in fact there is still a basis for dialogue, and we should discuss more about the commonness among them. In addition, Professor Zhang Baosheng expounded his unique understanding of "benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and trust" with concise and vivid examples. In his opinion, it is necessary to give full play to the strengths of Chinese culture and absorb the strengths of foreign cultures, so as to truly establish a community of human interests.
Professor Wang Renbo from the Law School of China University of Political Science and Law pointed out that there are obvious differences between Chinese and Western cultures since the axial age. Influenced by the geographical environment, Greece gave birth to the city-state culture, while China, which originated in the plain area, gave birth to the world culture. Concepts such as the unity of nature and man, the doctrine of the mean, and the public reflect Chinese culture's emphasis on the similarities between people, while western culture emphasizes differences more. At the same time, Professor Wang Renbo also pointed out that there is still a long way to go in order to achieve the goal of integrating Chinese culture into the world. First of all, China's political, economic and legal culture should be integrated with Chinese traditional culture, and ideology should not be overemphasized. Secondly, the integration of Chinese culture into the world requires an open mind to learn the advanced civilization of the world. Finally, our culture is rooted in everyone's blood. As Chinese people, we should naturally identify with Chinese culture.
Mr. Chen Xiaowen, the editor-in-chief of the Commercial Press, raised a question-"Why do many scholars who studied Western studies in their early years return to Chinese studies like falling leaves?" On the one hand, this interesting phenomenon reflects the nature of Chinese people's falling leaves; on the other hand, it can be attributed to the great charm of Chinese culture, which is itself a huge treasure house. At the same time, Mr. Chen Xiaowen pointed out that China's common values are unified, while the western universal values are the same. Unity is a community and inclusive, while identity must be homogeneous. It is impossible to impose one value on another. Therefore, the culture of the future community of human destiny must be the common value of mankind, not the same value.
Professor Huang Feng from the Law School of Beijing Normal University pointed out that practice has proved that Chinese culture and western culture are completely compatible, and this exchange is beneficial. Faced with some international opposition, we should strengthen communication with each other. Professor Huang Feng took his personal experience in discussing the death penalty with European criminal jurists as an example, and inspired everyone to communicate in languages acceptable to other civilizations as far as possible in the dialogue between different civilizations, and to make good use of comparative methods to realize the value of different cultures. Besides, tolerance and communication are also the proper meanings of Chinese legal culture, and are the responsibilities shared by all scholars.
[Talk part]
Professor Xie Zhiyong, president of College of Comparative Law of China University of Political Science and Law and editor-in-chief of Comparative Law Research, congratulated Professor Mi Jian on joining Beijing Normal University. Professor Xie Zhiyong introduced the development of the College of Comparative Law of China University of Political Science and Law. He believed that it would take time for the real development of comparative law talents to show up, and the development stage needed constant reflection and summarization. In addition, Professor Xie Zhiyong also talked about Chinese medicine law and disenchantment.
Professor Zhang Sheng, president of the Chinese Society of Legal History and Institute of Law of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out from the perspective of legal history that if a country wants to truly become a great country with strong vitality, it must have a strong cultural core. Firstly, the history of legal system should systematically explain Chinese history; secondly, it should penetrate Chinese and Western cultures; thirdly, it should be applied to improve reality with culture.
Professor Wu Zongxian from Beijing Normal University Law School warmly welcomed Professor Mi Jian's return to academia, especially his coming to Beijing Normal University to support discipline construction, and also expressed his joy to meet old friends and new friends. With the "community of human destiny" frequently entering people's field of vision, Professor Wu Zongxian is looking forward to listening to the opinions of experts and scholars.
Professor Zhang Tong from the College of Comparative Law of China University of Political Science and Law pointed out that culture is tolerant. Professor Mi Jian, as a disseminator of legal culture, has made great contributions to the education of Sino-German law in China. Professor Zhang Tong expects Professor Mi Jian to continue to play an important role in nature and man, the world outlook.
Ding Jielin, editor-in-chief and deputy editor-in-chief of Comparative Law Research, China University of Political Science and Law, believed that Chinese culture is developmental and inclusive, and now China is also absorbing and transforming the essence of western culture. Building a community of human destiny is an important proposition of China to the international community, and China is bound to contribute Chinese culture to the community of human destiny and exert Chinese influence.
Professor Zhang Xiang of Peking University Law School believes that Chinese culture is characterized by diversity and integration, and it has strong absorption and assimilation. Taking the integration of Buddhism and Chinese culture as an example, the integration of culture is a very long process. The same is true of the exchanges between Chinese civilization and Western civilization, and building a community of human destiny is our long-term goal.
Professor Chen Yi of Law School of Tongji University pointed out that the theme of Professor Mi Jian's speech is, in a personal sense, how to settle down in the changing times. In the national sense, it is the position of Chinese culture in the future world culture and the cultural identity of Chinese people. Now is a good time for us to settle down, sort out the passing Chinese tradition and think about the future and destiny of Chinese culture.
Professor Hao Lei, Dean of Law School of Tianjin Normal University, understood this lecture as a long-term exploration of Professor Mi Jian. He believed that Professor Mi Jian's views were of great enlightening significance to how to deal with relations with other countries, how to view the rise of great powers and how to analyze social phenomena around us. Taking vaccination as a reflection sample, Professor Hao Lei thought about how to promote the construction of a country ruled by law on the basis of respecting and promoting Chinese culture.
Shen Jianfeng, a professor from Law School of Central University of Finance and Economics and dean of the School of Law of China University of Labor Relations, pointed out that Professor Mi Jian has always implemented the academic thought of people-centered. Although the topic of this lecture is culture, it finally comes down to people's problems, which is also the starting point of all legal problems. Taking labor law as an example, Professor Shen Jianfeng said that labor law should also distinguish a specific personality, and study the rights and obligations and personality development.
Gao Yangguang, Associate Professor of Renmin University of China Law School, talked about "what is a classic" and "how to form a classic", and pointed out that in the historical process of the development of world civilization, the key to whether Chinese culture can have a foothold lies in whether our generation can create classics.
Professor Deng Jianzhong, deputy dean of Nanchang University Law School, put forward his own unique views on the issue of cultural identity. He emphasized that cultural identity is a problem of the whole society, but scholars also shoulder the heavy responsibility of discovering problems, spreading ideas and serving the society.
Associate Professor Zhu Xiaofeng of Law School of Central University of Finance and Economics said that we should be practitioners of the unity of knowing and doing, and be non-stop thinkers. Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind. We can learn from Professor Mi Jian his academic viewpoints and feel his consistent and rigorous attitude towards academic thoughts.
Associate Professor Liao Ming of Beijing Normal University Law School believed that culture is reflected in people's daily behavior, and each kind of meal and painting is culture. At the same time, Professor Liao Ming expressed his high respect for Professor Mi Jian, and thought that Professor Mi Jian had chosen Beijing Normal University, which was a blessing for both Beijing Normal University and academic circles.
In addition, Dr. Chen Huaqiang, president of Macao Legal Research Association and Legislative Council Member of Macao SAR, Dr. Chen Xiahong, deputy editor of Journal of China University of Political Science and Law, Li Zhonghua, chief editor of CCTV, Dr. Min Zhenhai, teacher of Law School of Northwest Minzu University, lawyer Mu Fei of DHH Law Firm, lawyer Yang Yifei and Liu Guangyu from Beijing Hedal Law Firm and dozens of students from Beijing Normal University attended the event.
[Lecture summary]
Finally, Professor Chai Rong, deputy dean of the Beijing Normal University Law School, concluded that the content of this lecture hall fully reflects the characteristics of large pattern and wide field. Professor Mi Jian discussed Chinese legal culture under the grand background of the community of human destiny, and integrated Chinese and western cultures very well. Combining with her own experience in legal history research, Professor Chai Rong believed that this lecture has inspired her to re-understand the relationship between Chinese legal history and foreign legal history. Professor Chai Rong once again extended a warm welcome to Professor Mi Jian, and looked forward to more experts and scholars coming to the school for exchanges in the future to promote the development of Beijing Normal University Law School.