On May 16, 2023, China Society of Criminal Procedure Law held a symposium for young scholars and students of criminal procedure law at Peking University, with more than 20 participants from universities and practical departments in Beijing. This symposium inaugurated the Youth Forum of the National Society of Criminal Procedure Law, and at the same time, solicited opinions and suggestions from young scholars and students, and jointly discussed the "cultivation and growth of young scholars in criminal procedure law". The relevant person in charge of the China Society of Criminal Procedure Law attended and delivered a speech, and had a warm communication and discussion with the young scholars and students.

The symposium was hosted by Prof. Chen Ruihua, Vice President of the Chinese Society of Criminal Procedure Law, Director of the Academic Committee of Peking University Law School, and Deputy Director of the Department of Social Sciences of Peking University. Prof. Guo Li, Dean and Party Secretary of Peking University Law School, delivered a speech.

I. Addressing session

Dean Guo Li, on behalf of Peking University Law School, expressed his sincere welcome to the participating young scholars and students and the relevant persons in charge of the Research Society, expressed his support for strengthening the synergistic exchanges between law schools and law research societies, and fully affirmed the significance of the National Criminal Procedure Law Young People's Forum in the rule of law and the cultivation of rule of law talents.

II. Unveiling of the Youth Forum

At the meeting, President Jing Dali and Dean Guo Li jointly inaugurated the Youth Forum of the National Society of Criminal Procedure Law.

III. Presentation on preparations for the Youth Forum

Researcher Wu Hongqi of Peking University Law School introduced the preparations for the first session of the Youth Forum of the National Society of Criminal Procedure Law. The preparations are now progressing steadily. The preparation of the conference is centered on serving the young scholars well and trying to build the best platform for academic exchanges among the young scholars.

IV. Speeches by young scholars and students

Chen Weidong, Executive Vice President of China Society of Criminal Procedure Law and Professor of Renmin University of China Law School, Xiong Qiuhong, Vice President and Secretary General of the Society and Dean of the Institute of Litigation Law and Professor of China University of Political Science and Law, Chen Ruihua, Vice President of the Society and Professor of Peking University Law School, as well as young scholars and students from Peking University, Renmin University of China, China University of Political Science and Law, Central University of Finance and Economics, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University spoke successively on the topics of the cultivation and growth of young scholars in criminal procedure law and the mission of young scholars.

Prof. Chen Yongsheng of Peking University Law School said that compared with the past, the conditions for engaging in criminal procedure jurisprudence research have now been significantly improved, such as a better research foundation, more abundant academic materials, and a substantial increase in the level of research.

Prof. Wei Xiaona of Renmin University of China Law School said that young scholars may lack mature writing skills, so they need to keep writing for practice. Young scholars can easily accept new things and have a strong sense of learning and innovation, so they can consider a different focus in their academic research from that of senior scholars such as researching new topics and engaging in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research.

Prof. Guo Hua of the Law School of the Central University of Finance and Economics said that young scholars should focus on the research of hot issues and focus on cross-disciplinary research and deepen their own field of research in the process of academic research. The cultivation and growth of young scholars need to meet two basic conditions, a good academic platform and the existence of a leading figure in the discipline.

Prof. Sun Yuan of the Law School of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said that, combined with the historical perspective, the first generation of scholars to solve the problem of "lawfulness" of China's criminal procedure, the second generation of scholars to solve the problem of basic theoretical guidance. Young scholars as a new generation, when engaged in academic research, should form their own relatively complete theoretical system.

Prof. He Ting, vice dean of the Law School of Beijing Normal University, said that compared with the past, young scholars now have better conditions for academic research, but more competitive pressure. The Youth Forum should play a role in three aspects: supporting young scholars, helping to polish the research ability of young scholars, and guiding the research direction of young scholars.

Yingke national criminal law professional committee director Zhao Chunyu lawyer said, the key to promote the growth of young scholars and students, is to have a good platform. The construction of the Criminal Procedure Law Youth Forum can be divided into three directions: survival, development and inheritance.

Prof. Guo Shuo of the Institute of Litigation Law, China University of Political Science and Law, said that from his experience of participating in and organizing youth forums, a high-quality youth forum should not only insist on organizing the meeting with a stable backbone, but also encourage peer-to-peer exchanges and sharpening, and form a good atmosphere that encourages controversy.

A.P. Chu Fumin of the Institute of Evidence Science, China University of Political Science and Law, said that in the growth process of young scholars, it is necessary to maintain academic stamina and be prepared to engage in academic research for a long time; to establish the goal of real academic research; to actively utilize academic platforms and participate in academic exchanges.

Wang Ruijian, a doctoral student at Peking University Law School, said that the group of doctoral students, as the reserve force of young scholars, should, firstly, take the initiative to conduct international exchanges, and secondly, take the initiative to participate in academic production.

Wu Tong, a doctoral student at Peking University Law School, said that the importance of doctoral dissertations for the growth of young scholars should be emphasized. First, the research topic should focus on basic theories; second, a certain research time span should be ensured. 

V. Remarks by the relevant person in charge of the China Society of Criminal Procedure Law

Vice President Chen Ruihua pointed out that young scholars face many difficulties in their growth path, such as huge life pressure and lack of strong learning atmosphere on campus, and the growth of young scholars deserves great attention. The Youth Forum can realize various functions, such as providing a platform for excellent young scholars to express their academic views, display their academic talents and verify their academic views, so that young scholars can grow up together through mutual exchanges, collisions and criticisms.

Vice president Xiong Qiuhong pointed out that the establishment of the Youth Forum is the continuation of the fine tradition of the Society. The significance of the Youth Forum is to encourage young scholars to form an academic community and jointly promote academic prosperity and development. She hope that senior scholars and young scholars will work together to create a good academic environment that emphasizes young people, cultivates young people, cares for young people and looks forward to young people.

Executive Vice President Chen Weidong pointed out that the cultivation of young scholars mainly relies on the education of teachers, and the growth of young scholars mainly relies on themselves. Young scholars should consolidate their theoretical skills and have more contact with practice and understand practice. There is no shortcut to improve the writing ability of young scholars, only more practice. Young scholars should communicate closely with their teachers and increase their interaction with them.

President Jing Dali fully recognized the preliminary preparations for the Youth Forum and the results of this symposium, and pointed out that young scholars should study hard and work hard. The China Society of Criminal Procedure Law will create conditions and provide assistance for the growth of young scholars and students, including organizing youth forums, selecting outstanding young talents, recommending young scholars to judicial organs for attachment and training, promoting the improvement of the scientific research evaluation system and providing other forms of platforms, conditions and assistance.

Translated by: Xiao Yaning

Edited by: Wang Shulin