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

Author: Compiled by the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-01
Features: In 2005, the centennial anniversary of the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University was celebrated. Originating from the Guangdong Law College, Sun Yat-sen University's legal 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, the Sun Yat-sen University legal program has written a glorious chapter of self-improvement and perseverance, pursuing ideals and practicing with clarity. The birth of the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University coincided with the era of strengthening the nation during the late Qing Dynasty. In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905 AD), the Guangdong Law College, along with other government-run law schools such as the Capital Law College and the Tianjin Law College, marked the beginning of modern Chinese legal education. Specialized legal education emerged 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 the series of transformations of 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, establishing the Law College. In 1926, the National Guangdong University was renamed the National Sun Yat-sen University, and the 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 Law College was transformed into the Law School. In 1950, the National Sun Yat-sen University was renamed Sun Yat-sen University, and the Law School was accordingly renamed the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University. In 1952, during a major restructuring of higher education institutions nationwide, the original Law School of Sun Yat-sen University was abolished, forming the Department of Political and Legal Studies, 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 Science and Law was established, which was later abolished in 2001 and subsequently rebuilt as the Law School of Sun Yat-sen University. Over the course of its century-long history, the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University has undergone several name changes, but its faculty strength has continuously grown, its academic level has steadily improved, and it has nurtured a large number of outstanding talents for the construction of democratic and legal systems in China. Amidst a century of social transformation, the Sun Yat-sen University legal program has always been concerned with the fate of the Chinese nation, taking upon itself the responsibility of promoting democratic constitutionalism and legal progress. In its century of academic development, the Sun Yat-sen University legal program 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 legal discipline at 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.
At its inception, the Guangdong Law College employed several Japanese instructors and renowned scholars as professors of law. Over time, it became a renowned gathering place for distinguished scholars: Hu Hanmin, then 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, lectured on jurisprudence; Liang Long, who had served as a Chinese representative at the League of Nations five times, was appointed as the first department head; Zhou Bingsheng, a doctorate holder from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Paris, later becoming a prominent figure in international law, served as a professor of law; Shi Shangkuan, revered as one of the pioneers of Chinese civil law, also taught at the college; and professors such as Cheng Tiangu, He Siyuan, He Sijing, Gao Tingzi, Zhu Xianzhen, Yang Zhaolong, and Zeng Zhaoting, who were influential in academia, also taught at Sun Yat-sen University's legal program.
After the reform and opening-up, the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University entered a new phase of development, becoming one of the first law schools to be revived in China. During this period of profound historical change, the gathering of great scholars led to the remark that it was "a peak of its time." These masters left us invaluable spiritual wealth in both teaching and academic research. Professor Duan Zheng, after completing his studies in Paris, the call of the new China and his, serving 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 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 rule of law will forever be recorded in the annals of Chinese law.
In today's world, the development of economy, technology, and information has shown a trend of globalization and internationalization, posing challenges to traditional legal education that is confined by national boundaries. This necessitates the integration of legal education with international standards, drawing from the strengths of various systems and embracing diversity. Guangzhou, located at the forefront of China's opening-up, neighboring Hong Kong and Macao, gives the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University a geographical advantage, making it more open and dynamic. In its early days, the educational philosophy of the legal discipline 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 practice theory in conjunction with reality as its historical mission. In its development during the new era, the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University has taken upon itself the responsibility of cultivating high-quality legal talents, striving to innovate teaching methods, boldly introducing advanced educational concepts, fully leveraging its geographical advantage near Hong Kong and Macao, and further strengthening cooperation with these regions, making significant contributions to the smooth development of the rule of law in the context of "one country, two systems" in China.
A century of achievement is hard-earned. History has bestowed upon us gifts, but it has also given us new missions. In the new century, the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University is in a period of prosperity, amidst the historical transformation of China's economy, politics, and law, as well as the global process of economic integration and political diversification. All of these provide the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University with unprecedented opportunities and challenges. In contemporary China, as we build a moderately prosperous society and construct a harmonious society, strengthening democratic rule of law and pursuing fairness and justice have become the strongest calls of the era. This not only injects new temporal connotations into our legal education but alsos a bright future for the legal discipline.
To commemorate the vicissitudes and glory of the centennial of the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University, to promote the academic innovation spirit of the legal scholars at 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 occasion of the grand celebration of the centennial anniversary of the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University, the Law School has launched the "Sun Yat-sen University Legal Studies Series," as a gift to mark the centennial of the legal program at Sun Yat-sen University.
Additionally, the publication of this legal studies series has been supported by the Hong Kong and Macao Studies project of Sun Yat-sen University's "985 Project" and is also a of the "211 Project" construction at Sun Yat-sen University. 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 legal scholars at Sun Yat-sen University will inherit the academic legacy of a century of legal studies at Sun Yat-sen University, pursuing excellence and innovation in Chinese legal scholarship and legal education.
In 2005, the centennial anniversary of the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University was celebrated. Originating from the Guangdong Law College, Sun Yat-sen University's legal 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, the Sun Yat-sen University legal program has written a glorious chapter of self-improvement and perseverance, pursuing ideals and practicing with clarity. The birth of the legal discipline at Sun Yat-sen University coincided with the era of strengthening the nation during the late Qing Dynasty. In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905 AD), the Guangdong Law College, along with other government-run law schools such as the Capital Law College and the Tianjin Law College, marked the beginning of modern Chinese legal education. Specialized legal education emerged 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 the series of transformations of modern Chinese society.