As part of the 120th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Peking University Law School, the launch ceremony of the LAW+ Alliance “Fa Yan Wen Dao” series of salons was successfully held on April 26 at the Moot Court of the Law School’s Kaiyuan Building. The event was guided by the Youth League Committee of the Peking University Law School and hosted by the Graduate Student Union of the Law School. Professor Pan Jianfeng from Peking University Law School was invited to give the inaugural lecture on the topic "A Discussion on the Basic Qualities and Abilities that Law Graduates Should Possess." The event also served as an important part of the 2024 Peking University Legal Culture Festival, attracting more than 80 students from 12 LAW+ Alliance universities in Beijing.

The event began with a presentation of the LAW+ "Fa Yan Wen Dao" series salon special guest certificate to Professor Pan Jianfeng by Shi Shi, Assistant Dean of Peking University Law School and Secretary of the Youth League Committee. Shi expressed heartfelt thanks to Professor Pan and extended a warm welcome to the students from various universities in attendance.

Professor Pan, drawing on his 40 years of teaching experience, shared his thoughts on the essential qualities and abilities that law students should develop. He emphasized the importance of enhancing communication between teachers and students to foster mutual learning, facilitate problem-solving, and support the holistic development of law students. Regarding the spiritual qualities necessary for law students, he summarized them as "seeking truth from facts," "serving the people," and "loving the country and promoting progress." He elaborated on the essential abilities of law students in three areas: professional competence, communication skills, and interpersonal abilities, and discussed how to cultivate legal thinking. He encouraged students to internalize excellence as a habit, striving for self-awareness, self-discipline, self-control, and self-confidence. He also stressed that law students should maintain their professional expertise and professional spirit while staying attuned to social realities, gradually cultivating a sense of identity, equality, empathy, and inclusiveness.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Professor Pan offered his encouragement to the students: "As the sun of tomorrow, no matter how big or small, you must illuminate society; no matter how intense the heat, you must convey warmth and hope."

In the interactive session, Professor Pan answered in detail questions raised by students regarding ways to improve academic abilities and pursue personal goals. The interaction between teachers and students was lively and engaging. Professor Pan also presented special commemorative gifts to the students in attendance. The event concluded successfully amidst the warm applause of the students.

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Peking University Law School, the Law School actively responded to Peking University's "Disciplinary Quality Year" strategic plan, continuously promoting the cultivation of virtue and talent, and reinforcing the deep foundation and educational outcomes of its law discipline. The LAW+ Alliance “Fa Yan Wen Dao” series salons, based at Peking University, will radiate across the student bodies of major law schools, aiming to create a series of high-quality intellectual exchange events. These events aim to guide law students to cultivate national sentiment, absorb intellectual wisdom, comprehend the essence of scholarship, and clarify their direction in life. At this new historical starting point, Peking University Law School will continue to follow Xi Jinping Thoughts on Rule of Law, adhere to the principle of cultivating both virtue and law, strengthen the foundation for legal talent training, innovate the mechanism for cultivating legal talent, and continuously guide young legal professionals to contribute to the great practice of building a rule-of-law China, thereby contributing to the legal guarantee for the modernization process with Chinese characteristics through the strength of Peking University Law School.

Translator: Xie Yiran

Edited by: Lin Yuping