On November 17 local time, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly held elections for judges of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal and Dispute Tribunal. Recommended by the United Nations Internal Justice Council, Zhang Lingling, a female judge from China and a 2004 Master of Laws graduate of Peking University Law School, was elected as a judge of the Appeals Tribunal with the highest number of votes. As the sole candidate from the Asia-Pacific region in this election, she will commence her seven-year term on July 1, 2026.

Alumna Zhang Lingling studied at Peking University Law School from 2004 to 2007 under the guidance of Prof. Wang Hui. She has served at Beijing Municipal No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court, the Beijing Municipal Intellectual Property Court, and the Beijing Municipal High People's Court. She currently holds the position of Judge at the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China and is a Level III Senior Judge in the Third Civil Division. With years of service in the People's Court system, Zhang Lingling has participated in adjudicating thousands of diverse cases, authored multiple judicial interpretations, and published over 60 legal papers and monographs. Combining profound theoretical expertise with extensive practical experience, she stands as an outstanding representative of China's female judges. As a pioneer dedicated to her judicial aspirations, Zhang Lingling has remained true to her original mission. Through relentless exploration and hard work, she exemplifies the unwavering political integrity, top-tier professional competence, and exceptional global perspective of Chinese judges in the new era.

Established in 2009 pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 62/228, the United Nations Appeals Tribunal comprises seven judges based at the UN Headquarters in New York. As a vital component of the UN's internal judicial system, it plays a crucial role in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of UN staff and promoting the effective operation of the UN system based on the rule of law.

Following the election of alumna Gao Xiaoli in 2022, another alumna of Peking University Law School has been elected as a judge of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal again. This once more showcases the outstanding qualities of Peking University legal professionals with profound sense of national responsibility, broad international perspective, and mastery of professional expertise, and represents a concentrated demonstration of the school's excellence in cultivating talent for foreign-related legal affairs. For years, Peking University Law School has comprehensively implemented Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, adhering to a dual narrative approach in domestic and international rule of law. By integrating theoretical knowledge systems with practical competency frameworks, it has advanced a new model of globalized legal education. It serves the practical needs of national strategies and global governance by strengthening academic training in foundational disciplines and expanding global perspectives. It focuses on cultivating high-level, multidisciplinary talents and strategic think tanks equipped with legal expertise, insight into international affairs, and cross-cultural communication skills. Peking University legal professionals continue to contribute to implementing the "Four Global Initiatives" within the framework of the rule of law and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Translated by: Zeng Linyu

Edited by: Jiang Yajie