Advancing Rule of Law in Human Rights Protection While Developing a “Socialist Rule of Law System with Chinese Characteristics”

It is very timely and necessary for us to hold this seminar in the beautiful Suzhou Campus of Renmin University of China to deeply study and implement the decisions of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee,push forward the construction of China’s rule of law and jointly discuss the development of China’s human rights cause.

Reform,Chinese Dream and Rule of Law

Xl Jinping： The Governance of China, a collection of Chinese President Xi Jinping＇s speeches and insights, pro- vides readers with valuable information about the Chinese leader and the future of China. The nearly 500-page volume contains about 80 speeches, interviews, instructions and correspondence.

Notes on the Rule of Law and Human Rights in Chinese Traditional Culture

1. Introduction The role of law and human rights in Chinese traditional culture seem to be a real conundrum with misunderstanding and controversies. Some Western politicians and scholars who did not probably delve into and equip with related knowledge were apt to take an adverse stand. For example, Chris Pat-

Revisiting the Spirit of the UDHR and Discussing Human Rights Development——Summary of Views from the Seminar Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 4,2023,the China Society for Human Rights Studies hosted a seminar in Beijing commemorating the 75^(th) Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Participants discussed topics such as the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,China’s theories and practices in respecting and safeguarding human rights,the three global initiatives and global human rights governance,human rights protection in the digital age,and telling Chinese stories of human rights in the new era.The discussions led to a broad consensus and achieved positive results.

Theoretical Framework of Chinese Modernization of the Rule of Law

The integrationof Chinese modernization and rule of law has given rise to the Chinese modernization of the rule of law.In terms of the concept building,Chinese modernization of the rule of law is a synthesis of rule of law in China,modern rule of law,and Chinese style.In terms of the target model,Chinese modernization of the rule of law maximizes efficiency through the building of unique rule of law system and the integration of the rule of law country.In terms of the core principles,Chinese modernization of the rule of law could be interpreted and explained from five aspects:subject scale,value positioning,civilization form,spatial dimension,and global perspective.Essentially,the Chinese modernization of the rule of law comprehensively highlights the nine intrinsic requirements of Chinese modernization,thussproviding strong guarantee for its accomplishment.With regard to the form of civilization,Chinese modernization of the rule oflaw has created a new form of human rule of law civilization,in terms of subject,object,content,and path,and can be considered to be a developmentbased new form of rule of law advancement.

Promoting Chinese Modernization of the Rule of Law and a New Form of Human Advancement of the Rule of Law-Interpretation of the Essence of the Rule of Law of the Report to the 20th National Congress of Communist Party of China

One of the significant theoretical contributions of the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC)is a well-conceived systematic Chinese modernization theory,which is developed based on the profound summarization of the successful experience of Chinese modernization,and on the modernization theories of China and other countries.Chinese modernization of the rule of law,a section of the lawbased Chinese modernization,focuses on the subject of rule of law.Breaking the myth of Western centralism,it creates a new model of modernization of the rule of law and produces a revolutionary effect on the modernization of the rule of law modernization in the world.It presents distinctive Chinese features and Chinese vision.Led by the CPC,it is an independent exploration,people-centered,organized,and planned,and has lofty value goals.Driven by modern science and technology forworld peace and development,the principal task of Chinese modernization of the rule of law is to create a system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and a new form of human advancement of the rule of law.Its great mission is to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects under the rule of law,ensuring that the rule of law runs through all areas and aspects of national governance and construction,so that building China into a great modern socialist country with the high-quality rule of law can be guaranteed.

The Path Evolution for Chinese Modernization of the Rule of Law

The Communist Party of China(CPC)has created a new path for Chinese modernization and a new form of human civilization while leading the people in advancing a great social transformation.Chinese modernization of the rule of law is an integral part of this new path.With a high degree of historical initiative and consciousness,the CPC has solidly grasped the basic regularity of China's legaldevelopmenttbased on actual national conditions,and has successfully pioneered,upheld,and expanded Chinese modernization of the rule of law.Legal construction during the New-Democratic Revolution hasreflected theearly exploration of Chinese modernization of the rule of law.The development of the rule of law during the period of socialist revolution and construction has laid a preliminary foundation for the formation of Chinese modernization of the rule of law.The new great social transformation of reform and opening up has further promoted such modernization.The construction of a law-based China in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics marks a further expansion and deepening of modernization.Therefore,Chinese modernization of the rule of law is rooted in the Chinese land,conforms to the characteristics of China,and draws on the excellent achievements of the world's legal civilization.It encapsulates profoundhistorical,theoretical,and practical logic,and has created a new model of modernization of the rule of law in a civilized society.

The Approach to Chinese Modernization of the Rule of Law

The essence of Chinese modernization of the rule of law is to promote a modern legal system in China.The approach to Chinese modernization of the rule of law refers to the Chinese approach to promoting a modern legal system.By comprehensively reviewing the history and reality,theory and practice,and actual and desirable aspects of Chinese modernization of the rule of law,we can summarize the Chinese approach to promoting a modern legal system.This approach containssvariouselements,including a leadership system for the rule of law with centralized and unified leadership by the Central Committee of Communist Party of China,a rule of law virtue principle of putting the people first,a functional orientation of the rule of law toward national governance,and a historical-legal consciousness that inherits fine traditional Chinese legal culture.These key elements play a prominent role and can effectively showcase the Chinese approach to promoting a modern legal system.Describing such a Chinese approach not only helps to summarize the fundamental experience of Chinese modernization of the rule of law but also showcases the Chinese logic and Chinese characteristics in this modernization process.

Characteristics,Indicators,and Methods of Chinese Modernization of the Rule of Law

Chinese modernization of the rule of law is an important dimension of Chinese modernization;it has some commonalities with the rule of law modernization of all countries but it is more characterized by features that are unique to the Chinese context.The prominent feature that constitutes the Chinese characteristics,Chinese style,and Chinese model,is the adherence to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics.It is this feature that determines the difference with Western rule of law modernization.Representingg a new form of human rule of law civilization,the Chinesestyle primarily features the building of a socialist law-based country,government,andSsociety,including centralized,unified,authoritative,andefficient Chinese-style national supervision,as well as the dual existence of constitutional review by the Communist Party of China(CPC)and by the state.Chinese modernization cannot be made possible without the rule of law being modernized and serving as a safeguard.Comprehensive promotion of the rule of law is an overriding approach,and two methods have to be followed specifically:firstly,construction of a modern socialist country in all aspects under the rule of law,and secondly,performance of all work of the state under the rule of law.

On Modernization of the Diversified Resolution Mechanism for Civil and Commercial Disputes in China

The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China put forward a scientific and systematic theory of the Chinese path to modernization,in which the modernization of the rule of law is both an integral part and a strong guarantee.Building a modern socialist country in all respects under the rule of law requires attention to the settlement of civil and commercial disputes.The separation of civil society and the political state,along with their mutual influence,has led to the development of diverse dispute-resolution mechanisms.Globalization has further accelerated their development and transformation.In face of the adjustments to the dispute resolution system amid the unprecedented changes of the century,China should complete the top-level design of the diversified settlement of civil and commercial disputes by deploying legislative and judicial resources to enhance the leading role of litigation in resolving these disputes.At the same time,China should continue to prioritize alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,improve the credibility of arbitration,and leverage the aggregating power of mediation,so as to serve the construction of the Chinese path to modernization.

Building a Modern Socialist China in All Respects Under the Rule of Law

Chinese modernization should be utilized to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts and build a modern socialist country in all respects under the rule of law.Building a modern socialist country under the rule of law requires coordinated steps to promote the rule of law around the needs of socialist modernization and integrate the process inseparably with various social undertakings.The promotion of the rule of law in all aspects is essentially a matter of comprehensive law-based national governance and social management.Such promotion should follow the new requirement of exercising law-based governance on all fronts,respond to the new expectations of the people for the rule of law,and promote the rule of law in China with higher standards,thereby advancing the socialist rule of law system and the rule of law China with Chinese characteristics.

The Rule of Law in Foreign-Related Affairs in Building China into a Great Modern Country

The call to advance the rule of law in foreign-related affairs is an important component of China's strategic move to a great modern country.In modern times,Western countries have applied rule of law practices in their modernization,demonstrating the values of a sound rule of law system for national strength.In particular,the rule of law,extended beyond national borders,provides a crucial guarantee for a great modern country's sustained,stable,and healthy path,and is also a clear symbol of a country's soft power.As China is progressing to become a great modern country,there is a need to pay a particularly close attention to the rule of law,actively promoting the legalization of foreign-related work.China's stance on the rule of law in foreign-related affairs should include both a principle of defending its core interests and a principle of advocating shared values and of promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.In the context of this era,China's international law professional community should delve into appropriate models that can facilitate smooth progress on the path to modernization,further enhancing the rule of law in China and the successful emergence of a great modern country.

法治现代化的“共同特征”和“中国特色”

“中国式法治现代化”这一概念提出的理论和实践依据在于:中国式法治现代化是中国式现代化的内在组成部分;法治现代化是现代化的核心要素和重要标志;中国式法治现代化是对中国式法治现代化实践的理论表达和学理表征。世界各国法治现代化的“共同特征”包括宪法至上、尊重和保障人权、监督和制约公权、维护公平正义、构建社会秩序、促进人类和平、立足本国国情、法治文明互鉴。中国式法治现代化的特色在于坚持中国共产党领导、以人民为中心、全面依法治国、大国法治、赓续中华法治文明、面向全球化。共同特征和中国特色的完美结合构成了法治现代化的中国范式。

习近平法治思想指导下国内法治与涉外法治的统筹推进——基于中国式现代化法治国家的构建视角

作为新时代习近平法治思想的重要组成部分,统筹推进国内法治与涉外法治是在准确把握国际国内两个大局的基础上,又立足法治中国建设的实践进程和面临的风险挑战,为更好地维护国家主权、安全和发展而提出的,对中国式现代化法治国家构建有着积极作用。既符合时代发展逻辑,更能加快法治中国建设步伐,有助于国际法治朝着良性轨道发展,是内蕴开放性、包容性和多元性理念的关键选择。统筹推进国内法治与涉外法治,应当在习近平法治思想指导下,以党的二十大精神为指引,以构建中国式现代化法治国家为出发点和落脚点,以厘清国内法治与涉外法治间的相互关系为基本逻辑,以明晰与完善国内国际双重法律规制为具体实践路径。不仅要重点解决国内法治与国际法治的良性对接问题,完善国内法律体系以应对国际法治变革,更要认真审视国际法律规范在我国域内的适用,积极推动国际法规则的发展演进。

习近平法治思想中的“中华法系”概念

中华法系萌生发展于中华大地,为千百年来国家治理与社会运行作出了重要贡献。但作为一个法学概念,“中华法系”发端于19世纪末传入中国的“法族”概念,其内涵在中华民族艰辛探索法治道路过程中经历了长期建构与重构。法系与法律系统、法律体系,法律、道德及其相互关系,发展方向、未来命运及其决定因素是“中华法系”概念演进过程中形成的基本论题,最终表达的是中国法治的过去和未来如何在法治实践中获得存在的意义。“中华法系”概念百余年演进历程中围绕基本论题展开的讨论,表征着概念本身所具有的民族性、实践性与时代性。习近平总书记全面回顾了“中华法系”概念的演进历程与基本论题,深刻揭示了其丰富的制度内涵、思想内涵与文明内涵,并赋予其新的时代意义。习近平法治思想中的“中华法系”概念具有鲜明的主体性、范式性、引领性,是具有标识意义的重要概念。

中国式现代化视域下农村集体经济组织成员身份认定规则解析

农村集体经济组织成员的身份认定、丧失及身份丧失后的权益保留,关系到农村居民的切身利益,科学的制度设计是引导乡村善治、助推共同富裕、实现中国式现代化的保障。《农村集体经济组织法(草案二次审议稿)》(以下简称《草案二次审议稿》)关于农村集体经济组织成员身份的定义及认定应以户籍为基础,但不宜强制要求成员的基本生活保障需以成员集体所有的土地等财产提供,也不应把二者之间形成稳定的权利义务关系作为成员身份定义的必要条件。丧失成员身份的规定中,可以用“户籍+财政负担工资福利”的类型划分方式,把公务员、事业编制人员等群体排除在组织成员之外。对于务工、经商、服役、就学等原因“暂时离开”的成员,其土地承包权、宅基地使用权等核心财产权益的保留时间不宜一概而论,可根据权益性质确定合理的保留期限。《草案二次审议稿》可通过细化、完善涉及成员身份的相关规定,保护农村居民合法权益,提升农村居民参与自我管理的积极性,促进乡村治理体系和治理能力现代化。

整体系统观视域下中国式环境法治现代化的宏观样态与建构方案

作为中国式现代化新道路与生态文明法治交融的产物,中国式环境法治现代化对于整体系统观的理论期许主要表现在应以习近平生态文明法治理论作为根本思想指南、从马克思主义的唯物辩证法中汲取养分以及将“天人合一”的环境伦理观作为其历史脉络三个维度。在宏观样态方面,整体系统观在中国式环境法治现代化中的融入主要体现在绿色低碳理念与经济发展需求深度融合的理念锚定、人际同构型环境利益公平分配格局的目标构筑和“环境权利—环境权力”二元架构均衡配置的范式转变三个场域。在新的历史交汇点上,中国式环境法治现代化应坚持以“整体系统观”作为“元理论”的方法支撑和价值指引,构建彰显环境法治现代化新内涵与新要求、多维度拓展环境法治现代化新道路的有机系统性方案。

论习近平法治思想对中华优秀传统法律文化的传承创新——基于党的二十大报告关于依法治国的视角

习近平法治思想坚持赓续我们党百余年法治和深刻传承中华法治几千年恢宏壮丽法治史中的精华,深刻体现了“中国之治”的文化自信,是弘扬中国特色社会主义法治文化的典范。习近平法治思想重视从中华优秀传统法律文化中汲取“奉法强国”的信念、全面依法治国的智慧和治国理政的经验,探寻强化法治生命力的路径。面对百年变局叠加世纪疫情,全球治理体系和国际秩序变革异常激烈,国际法治遭遇强烈挑战。习近平法治思想在中国法治和国际治理的实践中,坚持知古鉴今,弘扬中华法治智慧、吸收世界法治文明精华;资政育人,“中国方案”“中国之治”“中国智慧”既充分彰显国际法治的正道、顺应历史发展潮流、增进国际社会民生福祉,又更加增强中华法治自信,彰显中华优秀传统法律文化的时代特色。习近平法治思想把以人民为中心作为法治中国建设的基本立场,从中华优秀传统法律文化中汲取法治中国建设的不竭动力,是引领法治中国建设的思想旗帜和强劲动力源,是打破“西方中心论”长期遏制中国法治理论话语权的有力武器。新时代,推进法治中国建设,应坚持以习近平法治思想为指引,聚焦中国式现代化的法治新课题,把握好习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界观和方法论,深耕中华优秀传统法律文化,使其成为推进全面依法治国的智慧和力量源泉。

新时代中国国际法学科体系的构造

构造新时代中国国际法学科体系,既是为了进一步落实习近平有关学科建设的指示精神,也是为了改变国际法在整个法学体系中的地位与中国世界大国的地位不相称的状况,以及弥补我国涉外法治人才严重短缺的短板。中国国际法学科体系的构造,需要进一步厘清涉外法、涉外法治、对外关系法、国内法与国际法的关系,以及涉外法学、国际法与法学一级学科的关系。在中国国际法学科体系构造的过程中,最为重要的是构建国际法学一级学科专业。未来中国国际法学发展的任务主要包括:弘扬国际法治理念、为人类命运共同体的构建提供法治保障,传播中国国际法观、提升中国国际法理念的国际影响力,提高运用国际法的能力以及补齐涉外法治的短板等。涉外法治人才培养和推动国际法研究的理论创新,则成为今后中国国际法学者的应然使命。未来中国国际法学的发展方向涉及架设国际法与国内法沟通的桥梁、谨慎使用“涉外法学”名称,以及在国际法教育与研究中凸显中国的国际法理论与实践等。

促进中国式现代化的发展法学理论创新

旨在解决发展问题、促进全面发展的发展法学学科,与中国式现代化发展战略存在高度耦合,提供了研究中国式现代化的新视角。中国式现代化的新发展战略与发展法学的理论创新存在双向互动关系:一方面,中国式现代化的新发展战略,构造了发展法学的新背景,要求从系统主义维度进一步创新发展法学理论;另一方面,系统主义发展法学理论在方法论、制度体系、理论体系三个维度的递进式创新,有助于促进与保障中国式现代化的实现。具体而言,在方法论创新方面,发展法学作为一门系统科学,应融入系统论方法以及结构—功能分析方法,进行以中国发展问题为中心的新综合研究,指导制度体系和理论体系的创新;在制度体系创新方面,系统发展法学理论应从促进全面发展出发,通过合理配置发展权利、义务与责任,创新促进中国式现代化的包容型制度体系;在理论体系创新方面,系统发展法学理论应从发生论、本体论、价值论、规范论、运行论、范畴论方面进一步创新,在发展研究领域建构中国自主的法学知识体系,为世界法学理论之进步与世界共同发展之实践,贡献中国方案。