Hainan University (HNU) held its 10th Luminaries Lecture in Humanities & Social Sciences in the auditorium of the Administration Building on the afternoon of December 27. Lyu Zhongmei, Vice Chairperson of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee and President of China Society of Environmental and Resources Law (CSERL), delivered a lecture titled “The Journey of China’s Environmental Rule of Law”. Fu Xuanguo, Secretary of CPC HNU Committee, and other senior HNU leaders were in attendance. Vice president Nie Qingbin chaired the event.

Lyu Zhongmei delivering the lecture (Photo by Zhang Yang)

Drawing on her personal experiences, Lyu Zhongmei recounted her evolving role in China’s journey toward environmental rule of law, from a “witness” to an “active participant” and ultimately a “practitioner”. She outlined the historical development of China’s rule of law in ecology and environment, which began under challenging circumstances, grew from a series of reforms, and has flourished in the new era.  Currently a comprehensive system of environmental laws has taken shape, including the Environmental Protection Law.

Lyu provided an in-depth analysis of the status quo, achievements, and future development of China’s rule of law in ecology and environment, as well as the ongoing efforts to compile an ecological and environmental code. She summarized China’s experience from five aspects: unwavering commitment of the top leadership, the continuous improvement of a constitution-centered legal system, the modernization of China’s system and capacity for governance through legal means, the balance between internal and international imperatives, and the heightening of public awareness of ecological conservation.

She emphasized that the compilation of an ecological and environmental code presents an opportunity to establish a theoretical framework with Chinese characteristics, pass on traditional Chinese culture, and develop a legal code that features both China’s actual conditions and international standards.

The lecture attracted a packed audience who listened attentively and engaged in lively discussions on topics such as codification and recodification of environmental laws. Lyu gave detailed answers, sharing her unique insights.

Q&A session (Photo by Zhang Yang)

Faculty and student representatives from all HNU campuses and science & education parks, as well as heads of the departments concerned, also attended the lecture, in person or virtually.

Source from HNU News

Translated by Han Yunsheng

Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie