On the afternoon of May 17, 2024, the second phase of the Peking University Law School Teaching Lecture Series “Educational Life of Famous Teachers of Law”, “Old Memories of Smoke and Clouds - Some of My Experiences in the Faculty of Law of Peking University”, was successfully held in Room B102 of Koguan Building. The lecture was given by Prof. Zhu Qichao of Peking University Law School and hosted by Prof. Liu Kaixiang. This is part of a series was supported by the Dow Ann Law Foundation of Peking University.

At the beginning of the lecture, Prof. Liu Kaixiang introduced Prof. Zhu Qichao's study, teaching research and management at Peking University. Prof. Zhu Qichao entered the Faculty of Law of Peking University in 1959, stayed on the faculty in 1964, and worked until his retirement. He served as the deputy dean of the department from 1981 to 1999, and had made outstanding contributions to the cause of law education in Peking University. This salon looks forward to deepening the consensus on teaching and research and strengthening the cultural heritage of the university through the sharing of Prof. Zhu Qichao's dozens of years of experience in teaching and research and management.

Dean Guo Li said in his speech that this lecture was significant in many ways. First, as an important installment of the “Teaching Salon” series of activities for the 120th anniversary of the founding of the law discipline of Peking University, Prof. Zhu Qichao's lecture has the significance of reviewing the history and looking forward to the future. Secondly, this activity follows the first lecture of the “People's Educator”Prof. Gao Mingxuan, on “How to be a Good University Teacher”, which is a continuation of the activities of the College to commemorate the meritorious jurists. Thirdly, it is also a review of the life experiences of the old generation of jurists and the development of the Peking University Law School in combination with the College's series of articles in the “Images” column of the China Law Review. Finally, Prof. Zhu Qichao is a veteran member of the Law School, and his experience and insights can encourage the future generation to fulfill the glorious mission of establishing moral character and teaching.

Afterwards, on behalf of the College, Dean Guo Li presented a commemorative poster of the Salon to Prof. Zhu Qichao as a token of his high esteem.

In the lecture, Prof. Zhu Qichao focused on his experience during his studies at the Faculty of Law of Peking University from 1959 to 1964, including his initial intention of enrollment, the study environment, his daily life, and the dilemmas and challenges he faced, especially his study and living conditions during the three years of difficulties, as well as his employment allocation, participation in activities and personal development at that time. He talked about how some teaching and academic activities could not be carried out effectively due to the special environment at that time, but he was still greatly benefited from the classes of Zhu Zongbin, Lou Bangyan and other distinguished professors. He also recalled the early days of his stay at the university, when many scholars overcame difficulties and devoted themselves to what they could, even though teaching and research could not be carried out normally amidst the political turmoil. In particular, he introduced the background and development of the Peking University Intellectual Property School, which was established in 1993, and emphasized the original purpose of establishing the Peking University Intellectual Property School and the importance of the intellectual property cause.

Prof. Zhu Qichao lamented that the importance of legal education has been greatly enhanced, and that the faculty, student scale, and school conditions of Peking University Law School had improved tremendously, and that it is all the more important to cherish the present when catching up with the past. He expressed his best wishes and expectations for the future of PKULS.

After the lecture, A.P. Jin Jinping and representatives of the exchange scholars presented Prof. Zhu Qichao with flowers full of respect and blessings.

Prof. Zhu Qichao, who is 86 years old, gave a wonderful lesson to the teachers and students with his energetic spirit, rigorous attitude, rich content and vivid narration, encouraging today's Peking University legal personnel to “not forget the original intention and keep the mission in mind” and contribute to the development of the national cause of the rule of law with full academic enthusiasm and positive enterprising spirit, in the light of the favorable material conditions and educational resources. With full academic enthusiasm and positive enterprising spirit, they should contribute to the development of the national rule of law.

Translated by: Han Yiming

Edited by: Shi Yucong