MRLC Held the Seminar on Decision Passed by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee and Chinese Economic Rule of Law

2014.12.02 - 2014.12.02

MRLC Held the Seminar on Decision Passed by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18^th CPC Central Committee and Chinese Economic Rule of Law

On Dec.2^nd, 2014, Seminar on Decision Passed by the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18^th CPC Central Committee and Chinese Economic Rule of Law, organized by China-Korea Market & Regulation Law Center (MRLC), was held at Room 206 of Mingde Law Building of Renmin University. The seminar was hosted by Associate Professor Meng Yanbei. Professor Shi Jichun, Professor Zhu Daqi, Professor Wu Hongwei, Associate Professor Wang Zongyu, Professor Yangdong, Associate Professor Song Biao, Associate Professor Yao Haifang and Associate Professor Hu Tianlong from Renmin Law School respectively made a statement. All the doctoral students and some of the postgraduate students who major in economic law of Renmin Law School took part in the discussion and expressed their own opinions.

Professor Shi Jichun spoke highly of the significance of the decision passed by the fourth plenary session of the 18^th Communist Party of China Central Committee in his statement. He considered that it is a great deploy for comprehensively advancing the rule of law by strengthening national governance ability from the perspective of rule of law, and the key point is how to execute it. Moreover, he elaborated the current problems of rule of law occurred in the process of governing our country from the aspect of “rule of law is bound up with mighty and just mainstream values”,” the three elements of rule of law lie in justice, consensus and execution ”, “rule of law is democratic centralism under the new situation” and so on. He maintained that rule of law follows the spirit and objective requirement of law, as well as the will of the people. Good governance is achieved through the constraint and judgment of law.

Associate Professor Wang Zongyu showed that, the fourth plenary session of the 18^th Communist Party of China Central Committee come up with rule of law as the subject term and main idea in the document for the first time, and it is a piece of favorable news to the development of rule of law in our country. We should be full of confidence and hope to the Decision. Furthermore, our country should enact legislation combined with national conditions in order to build a legal system with Chinese characteristics, and if the law doesn’t conform to the benefits of the masses and development of the productive force, it should be abolished or amended in time.

Professor Wu Hongwei addressed the importance of improving the legal education and cultivating legal consciousness in his statement. He believed that establishing legislation system, judicial system and legal service system under the leadership of the Party, the core is that there are talents who have a good command of law do well in legislation, judiciary and legal service. The essence of rule of law is how the national public power enters into various areas. Besides, economic law involves national economic functions, and the implementation of legal institutions in economic law need a batch of specialists who have conscientiousness and legal awareness.

Professor Zhu Daqi pointed out that learning the spirit of the decision passed by the fourth plenary session of Communist Party of China Central Committee, we must combine with the goal of comprehensively building a well-off society in the 18^th CPC National Congress and the Decision on Comprehensively Deepen the Reform in the third plenary session of the 18^th CPC Central Committee, and these three goals have internal tight connections. In order to make the reforming achievements benefit more Chinese people, we have to rely on the development of economy, politics and society, and to practice diligently the rule of law is the best guarantee and driving force. Professor Zhu Daqi also specially emphasized on the part of “strength the implementation of Constitution”, and stated briefly that this is the core issue of comprehensively advancing the rule of law. It is of great importance to set up the Constitution authority and form the agreed legal orders. He also gave a detailed description of how to perfect the legal system of tax revenue.

Associate Professor Song Biao remarked that the decision which was passed by the fourth plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee provided a top-level design of state institution, actually, this decision had distinct Chinese characteristics, that is, the development of socialist market economy and legal society should be carried out in the unique background of Chinese society. This decision called for national practices, which could reflect the spirit of rule of law in the process. Besides, Associate Professor Song Biao pointed out that the contents in this decision which related to the field of economic law, hence, the attendees had a further understanding of this decision; what’s more, he provided clear directions of research and related things for students who major in economic law. 

Associate Professor Yao Haifang considered that the key factor of rule of law was executive ability. Rule of law called for good governance of conscientious law. Conscientious law relied on scientific legislation, besides; an unhindered communication channel should be built in society to set up feedback mechanism. Moreover, he stressed that lawyers should pass prudent remarks, improve specialty literacy, have academic conscience and make own judgment of social problems.

Associate Professor Hu Tianlong expounded his understanding of this decision from the perspective of strengthening the implementation of the constitution. He thought that this decision specified the idea of administration by constitution; in that case, it was beneficial to play a positive role of constitution and realize the dream of constitution.

Professor Yang Dong explained that rule of law could become a productive force. A great many top-down enactment of laws and regulations could propel reform ideas comprehensively, which made rule of law become a powerful driving force of economic development. Legal system in economic field should be improved to deepen the reform, hereinto; legislation of finance and treasury provided most of the impetus for reform and opening-up. 

During the question and answer session, the students interacted with professors about the way to establish accountability system of decisions, the reform of state-owned enterprises, “new normal” economic development and so on. After this seminar, students all remarked that the representations of professors helped them to have a further understanding of the content and spirits of this decision; furthermore, they have known better about the current problems of China and research direction of themselves. As a student who majors in law, the pass of the decision of the fourth plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee is not only an opportunity, but also a challenge.