Academic Rhythm - A Collection of Essays by Elder Professors of the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University

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Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: In 2005, the Centennial Celebration of the Law Department of Sun Yat-sen University was held. Originating from the Guangdong Law College, Sun Yat-sen University's law program, through a century of, evolved from a small institution of over a hundred students into a renowned law school both domestically and internationally. Over the past century, Sun Yat-sen University's law program has written a glorious chapter of self-improvement and perseverance, pursuing ideals and practicing with clarity. The birth of the law department of Sun Yat-sen University occurred during the late Qing Dynasty's era of national salvation and strength. In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905 AD), the Guangdong Law College, along with other government-run law colleges such as the Capital Law College and the Tianjin Law College, unveiled the modernization of Chinese legal education, giving rise to specialized legal education in the process of Western learning spreading to China. From the exploration of democratic republicanism during the Xinhai Revolution to the advocacy of democratic and scientific spirit during the May Fourth Movement, the Guangdong Law College, at the forefront of the revolution, witnessed and actively participated in a series of transformations in modern Chinese society. In 1912, Hu Hanmin renamed the Guangdong Law College as the Guangdong Public Law College. In 1923, the Governor of Guangdong Province,, renamed it the Guangdong Public Law University. In 1924, it merged with the National Guangdong University to establish the Law College. In 1926, the National Guangdong University was renamed the National Sun Yat-sen University, and the original Law College was accordingly renamed the Law College of the National Sun Yat-sen University. In 1931, the National Sun Yat-sen University underwent reforms, and the original Law Department was changed to the Law School. In 1950, the National Sun Yat-sen University was renamed Sun Yat-sen University, and the original Law School was accordingly renamed the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University. In 1952, during the nationwide adjustment of higher education departments, the original Law School of Sun Yat-sen University was abolished, forming the Department of Political and Legal Sciences, which was later merged into the Central South University of Political Science and Law. In 1979, with approval from the original Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University revived the Department of Law. In 1993, the School of Political and Legal Sciences was established, which was later abolished in 2001 and rebuilt as the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University on the same basis. Over a century of historical development, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University has changed its name several times, but its faculty strength has continuously grown, its academic level has steadily improved, and it has cultivated a large number of outstanding talents for China's democratic and legal system. During a century of social transformation, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University has always been concerned with the fate of the Chinese nation, taking it upon itself to promote democratic constitutionalism and legal progress. During a century of academic development, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University has always upheld academic freedom, adhered to academic integrity, and dedicated itself to academic pursuits, greatly advancing the progress of Chinese law. Over the past century, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University has witnessed the beginning and development of China's democratic and legal cause, the pioneering and innovation of Chinese legal scholarship, and the twists and prosperity of modern Chinese legal education. When the Guangdong Law College was first established, several Japanese instructors and renowned scholars served as professors in the law department, gradually forming a spectacular scene of distinguished scholars gathering at the law department of Sun Yat-sen University: Hu Hanmin, then the Governor of Guangdong, delivered lectures on administrative law; Chen Duxiu, a leader of the New Culture Movement, taught socialist courses; Li Da, one of the founders of the Communist Party of China, taught jurisprudence; Liang Long, who had served as the Chinese representative at the League of Nations' sessions five times, was appointed as the first department head; Zhou Bingsheng, who held doctorates from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Paris and later became a giant in international law, served as a professor in the law department; Shi Shangkuan, revered as the father of Chinese civil law, also taught at the law department in his early years; and professors such as Cheng Tiangu, He Siyuan, He Sijing, Gao Tingzi, Zhu Xianzhen, Yang Zhaolong, and Zeng Zhaqiong, who were influential in writing and academia, also taught at Sun Yat-sen University's law department. After the reform and opening-up, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University entered a new stage of development, becoming one of the first law schools to be revived and rebuilt in China. During this period of historical change, the law department was celebrated for its gathering of great scholars, and these masters left us invaluable spiritual wealth whether in teaching or academic research. Professor Duan Zheng, after completing his studies in Paris, the call of the new China and his, and served as the first department head when the Department of Law was revived at Sun Yat-sen University. As an internationally renowned expert in international law, Professor Duan Zheng was appointed by the National People's Congress as a member of the drafting committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1985, and later as the Vice President of the Supreme People's Court and a member of the Judicial Committee. As President Xiao Yang of the Supreme People's Court pointed out: Professor Duan Zheng's outstanding contributions to the legal education of the nation and the cause of socialist law and the legal process will be eternally recorded in the annals of Chinese law. In today's world, the development of the economy, technology, and information has shown a trend of globalization and internationalization, which inevitably challenges the traditional legal and political education that defines its space by national boundaries. This requires legal education to align with international standards, learn from the strengths of others, and embrace inclusivity. Guangzhou, located at the forefront of China's opening-up, borders Hong Kong and Macao, giving Sun Yat-sen University's law department a geographical advantage that enhances its openness and vitality. In the early days of the law department, its educational philosophy reflected a broad international perspective and openness, aiming to absorb the essence of legal, political, and economic studies from around the world, study the changes in various systems throughout Chinese history, integrate the cultures of the East and the West, and link theory with practice as its historical mission. In the new era of development, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University is committed to cultivating high-quality legal talents, reforming teaching methods, boldly introducing advanced educational concepts, fully utilizing its geographical advantage near Hong Kong and Macao, and further strengthening cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, making significant contributions to the smooth development of China's rule of law under the "one country, two systems" framework. A century of achievement is hard-won. History has given us gifts but also new missions. In the new century, the law department of Sun Yat-sen University is in a period of prosperity, amidst the historical transformation of China's economy, politics, and law, and also in the global process of economic integration and political diversification, all of which provide the law department with unprecedented opportunities and challenges. In contemporary China, as we build a moderately prosperous society and construct a harmonious society, strengthening democracy and the rule of law and pursuing fairness and justice have become the strongest calls of the era, injecting new connotations into our legal education and heralding a bright future for the law department. To commemorate the vicissitudes and glory of the law department of Sun Yat-sen University over the past century, to promote the academic innovation spirit of the law department of Sun Yat-sen University, and to witness the efforts of the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University in advancing the cause of Chinese legal studies, on the grand occasion of the centennial celebration of the law department of Sun Yat-sen University, the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University has launched the "Sun Yat-sen University Legal Studies Series," as a gift for the centennial celebration of the law department of Sun Yat-sen University. Additionally, the publication of this legal studies series has been supported by the Hong Kong and Macao Research Project of the Sun Yat-sen University "985 Project," and it is also a phased achievement of the Sun Yat-sen University "211 Project." The publication of the Sun Yat-sen University Legal Studies Series signifies the vitality of the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University and the rapid growth of its young scholars. The law department of Sun Yat-sen University will inherit the academic legacy of a century of legal studies and pursue excellence and innovation in Chinese legal scholarship and legal education.