On the afternoon of May 22th, Professor Shi Meijun of Shihezi University of Xinjiang was invited to come our “Science and Humanity Forum” and brought our students a lecture on “Rule-of-law Dream, Chinese Dream”. The lecture took place in room 302 of Phoenix Building and attracted over 130 teachers and students to attend.
At the beginning of the lecture, Prof. Shi Meijun made a specific interpretation on the profound meaning of Chinese Dream. The 18th National Congress of CPC proposed that achieving the great renewal of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream of the Chinese nation in modern times. There are two stages to achieve this dream -- to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects when the Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary and to turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious when the People’s Republic of China marks its centennial. The essence of the Chinese Dream is the power and prosperity of China, the renewal of the Chinese nation, the people’s wellbeing.
Subsequently, from the shallower to the deeper and step by step, by introducing “what is the law”, “what is the rule of law”, “what is the legal system”, the legal system origin of China, the fundamental task of building the rule of law and how to be a good youth that respects, observes and applies the law, Prof. Shi Meijun interpreted that upholding the rule of law as a fundamental principle is the law guarantee to achieve Chinese Dream. At the same time, Prof. Shi Meijun clearly defined the fundamental tasks of China’s legal system construction from four aspects: first, ensuring the national unity and security, safeguarding social stability and the long-term peace and stability of China; second, promoting the comprehensive management of social order, resolutely curbing the high incidence of serious criminal offenses, protecting people’s life and property and democratic rights from being violated, guaranteeing people to live and work in peace and contentment; third, promoting reform and innovation, controlling economic order, promoting economic development, leading people to be rich; fourth, realizing social and legal institutionalization, timely resolving social contradictions, maintaining social fairness and justice, building a harmonious society.
Finally, Prof. Shi Meijun put forward specific requirements to our students on how to be a good youth that respects, observes and applies the law. Respecting the law is the legal guarantee for the Chinese nation to achieve the great renewal. We should to continuously enhance the legal awareness, the legal knowledge, to promote the spirit of the rule of law, to have faith in the rule of law, to stick to the rule of law, to ensure the success of the Chinese Dream. Observing the law is because the law is the code of conduct which a citizen must abide by. We should to understand that the individual must behavior within the law, exercise rights according to the law, and fulfill obligations consciously. Do not step on the boundary of law. Do not defy the law. Improve the self-consciousness of not trying to break the law, not being allowed to break the law, not daring to break the law. Applying the law means to trust the law, and to learn to use legal weapons to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests. We should develop good habits of applying the law when handling affairs, solving problems, and resolving contradictions.
During the lecture, combined with his forty-year experience of education and political and legal work in Xinjiang, Prof. Shi Meijun told about the outstanding deeds of people in that era who had devoted their youth to guard and develop the frontier. He told the students that Xinjiang is a beautiful and mysterious exotic land, a natural security barrier to defend our motherland, and a beautiful home for the countless minority compatriots. Nowadays, under the joint efforts of several generations, Xinjiang has been getting better and better in politic, economy, culture and other aspects. On the road of future construction, it is necessary for 56 ethnic groups to unite to realize Chinese Dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation together!
(Article: Chen Siyu, Wang Fulu, Photo: Zou Maochen, Date: May 23th, 2016)