Constitutionalism and China

Author: Li Buyun
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 2006-04-01
Features: In 1978, China entered into a new era of "reform and opening up," in which four strategic transformations began to take place. "Taking class struggle as the key link" gave way to economic construction as the central task; isolation was replaced by opening up to the outside world; planned economy moved toward market economy and "rule of law" began to replace "rule of man." Some of these transformations have already basically been completed, while others still need several decades to complete. Nevertheless, the achievements China has made in all four areas have drawn attention from the world. I feel gratified and proud to be a witness to these historical transformations and to be an active participant in the construction of the modern rule of law in China. Today, academic exchange between Chinese and international law circles is on the rise. China needs to understand the world, just as the world needs to understand China. Yet, few Chinese legal scholars are able to write in English. Nor have many Chinese legal works been translated and published outside China. This has created great difficulties for foreign scholars in understanding the historical development and current situation of legal studies in China. The purpose of this English collection of papers is to facilitate academic exchange between Chinese and international law circles. I hope this book will provide some useful information and materials for foreign scholars who are interested in the construction of the rule of law in China. In 1978, China entered into a new era of "reform and opening up," in which four strategic transformations began to take place. "Taking class struggle as the key link" gave way to economic construction as the central task; isolation was replaced by opening up to the outside world; planned economy moved toward market economy and "rule of law" began to replace "rule of man." Some of these transformations have already basically been completed, while others still need several decades to complete. Nevertheless, the achievements China has made in all four areas have drawn attention from the world. I feel gratified and proud to be a witness to these historical transformations and to be an active participant in the construction of the modern rule of law in China.
Author Introduction: Li Buyun is the Director of the Public Law Research Center of the Law Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Honorary Dean of both Guangxi University Law School and Duanwu University Law School, and Director of the Research Center for Human Rights in both Guangzhou University and Hunan University. Graduating from the Law Department of Peking University in 1965, he was once the Director of the Research Division of Jurisprudence of the Law Institute of CASS and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Law. Currently, he is appointed as a member of the Expert Advisory Committee of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, part-time Professor of the Supreme People's Administration. As an expert with outstanding contributions, he enjoys the special subsidy of the State Council. He has already published 30 books and more than 180 papers. He has won 13 awards for academic research achievements. His masterpieces include "March to Rule of Law," "Jurisprudence Exploration," and "Human Rights Jurisprudence," etc.