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.

On Edward Coke＇ s Constitutional Thought and the Value of the Traditional Chinese Legal Thoughts

Coke was undoubtedly a milestone in the history of the legal thoughts in Britain and even in the whole western world.Coke stressed the restriction of royalty and the suprem e status of the common law.In the British Parliament’s struggle against the monarchy in the 17th century,he put forward the creative constitutional ideas about independence of judges and judicial review,advocating the protection of due process and the civil rights,which provided valuable ideological inspiration especially for the development of judicial review and the due process in the U.S.C onstitution.Just as the saying goes,"the old farmland would grow out new grain",looking back on traditional legal thoughts is im portant to the construction of a legal country for the present China.

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.

On the Quadruple Qualities of Marxist Thought on Human Rights

Marxist human rights thought has realized an epochmaking change in human rights thought and has distinguished itself from capitalist human rights thought with its distinctive character.Marxist human rights thought has a humanistic character,starts from human nature and its essence,regards human rights as an important means to realize the all-round development of human beings and the fundamental proof of human liberation.Marxist human rights thought is characterized by being people-centered,and expresses the desire of the masses,with the proletariat as the main body,to realize a better life through the guarantee of human rights.Marxist human rights thought has a practical character,is based on practical materialism,advocates that human rights are derived from the social practice and promotes social practice toward civilization and progress.Marxist human rights thought has the character of rule of law,guides legal governance to the rule of good law,and lays the guarantee fot human rights on the foundation of substantive rule of law.

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.

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.

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.

Accurately Comprehending the Concept of"Rule of Law in Foreign- Related Affairs" to Promote Coordinated Advancement in the Rule of Law in Chinese Domestic and Foreign-Related Affairs

The n notion of"rule of law in foreign-related affairs"signifies a critical innovation and evolution in the theory and practice of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics.It underscores the pivotal role of rule of law in foreign-related affairs in the law-based governance and presents new topics for the theoretical study for rule of law.A precise comprehension of"rule of law in foreign-related affairs"necessitates tracing its origins and elucidating its correlations with both"rule of law in domestic affairs"as well as with"international rule of law."Acknowledging both domestic and international plerugatives,while holistically advancing law-based governance,constitutes the foundational rationale behind"rule of law in foreign-related affairs."In addition,the cognitive transition from a"socialist legal system"to the"socialist rule of law"in foreign-related affairs."In addition,the cognitive transition from a"socialist legal system"to the"socialist rule of law"forms a theoretical foundation for the rule of law in foreign-related affairs.Although national governance and global governance,as well as the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs fall under distinct governance categories and legal systems,they are interconnected,mutually influential,and integrated.As a component of national rule of law,the rule of law in foreign related affairs acts as a bridge between the two independent legal systems of the rule of law in national affairs and international rule of law.It is imperative to promote a harmonized advancement of the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs,thereby expediting the strategic deployment of the rule of law in foreign contexts.This strategy more effectively safeguards national sovereignty,security,and developmental interests while contributing to build a human community with|a shared future.

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.

On the Theory of Chinese Legal Education in the New Era in the New Era of Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in China

The Central Committee of the Community Party of China with Comrade XI Jinping at its core has made strategic thinking and top-level design for Chinese legal education in the new era, put forward a series of new concepts, ideas and strategies that are epochal, iconic, and original, and created a scientific and modernized theory of Chinese legal education in the new era. The theory on Chinese legal education for the new era, as an important part of XI Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, profoundly answers significant questions about the orientation, goal, status, relationship, management, and system of Chinese legal education in the new era, and guides us to build a leading country in legal education.

Creating a New Form of Rule of Law Civilization:A Historical Narrative of the Communist Party of China

The modernization path of the Chinese rule of law reflects the glorious process of the Communist Party of China(CPC)’s continuous exploration of the rule of law development.It has created a new form of rule of law civilization for humanity,one that has not only profoundly changed China but is also deeply influencing the world historical process.Under the leadership of the CPC,the Chinese people have achieved the innovation of legal mechanisms,text,and discourse in their century-long endeavor for the rule of law.This highlights the distinctive features of the Chinese rule of law civilization.The innovation of legal mechanisms is the foundation of the modernization of the Chinese rule of law,indicating that through the Party’s century-long endeavor for the rule of law,a legal leadership mechanism has been formed,in which the Party exercises overall leadership and coordinates the efforts of all sides;the innovation of legal text is the manifestation of modernization of the Chinese rule of law,indicating that through the Party’s century-long endeavor for the rule of law,the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics is gradually moving toward a new stage of codification in which the promulgation and implementation of the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China is a milestone;and the innovation of legal discourse is the core of modernization of the Chinese rule of law,indicating that through the Party’s century-long endeavor for the rule of law,the continuous refinement of the Chinese legal discourse system is playing a key role in providing theoretical support and legal reasoning.

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.

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。

在法治轨道上推进新时代科技创新的功能阐释

中国式现代化关键在科技现代化,在法治轨道上推进新时代科技创新是实现科技现代化和法治现代化的必然要求。在法治轨道上推进科技创新旨在发挥法治轨道在推进科技创新中的重要功能,使法治轨道成为驱动和赋能科技创新的重要动力机制和动能来源。要实现在法治轨道上推进科技创新,必须以习近平法治思想为指导,充分发挥和不断优化法治轨道在保障科技创新的政策实施、激发科技创新的主体活力、维护科技创新的自由空间、塑造科技创新的竞争优势、消解科技创新的伦理风险等方面的调整机制功能,从而为新时代科技创新提供持久法治动力和注入强劲法治动能。

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。

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。