Law school graduates carry the nation's hopes for rule of law
Andrew Li says to excel in a fast-changing world, graduates of the mainland's top law school must relish all of life's challenges, for the nation's hopes of developing the rule of law rest on their shoulders
I remember vividly my first encounter with Tsinghua University. In 1995, Mr Hu Xianzhang, vice-president of the university, and Mr Wang Zhenmin called on me in Hong Kong. Mr Wang was then a young man and assistant to the head of the law department. They told me about the university's aspiration to restart law. I immediately appreciated the great significance and importance of this project.
I first visited Tsinghua in early 1996. The library of the law department was in a classroom and occupied only a few shelves. But from modest beginnings, the School of Law grew. Its rise has been truly impressive.
From my perspective, this has been due to a number of factors. First, with rapid economic growth and with the development of the rule of law on the mainland, there has been massive demand for legal education. Second, Tsinghua University, with its great reputation, has been able to attract top students and excellent faculty staff. Third, as a new law school, it has not been burdened by the baggage of the past. It has the flexibility to pursue new initiatives and to seize opportunities quickly. Fourth, it has had the benefit of dynamic leadership of successive deans.
The achievements of Tsinghua School of Law have been outstanding. It has produced high-quality graduates. Many have risen to leadership positions. In the latest QS ranking of law schools, which is accepted internationally, it was ranked 26th in the world in 2012, the highest for a mainland law school. This is truly remarkable for a relatively new law school.
Professors, administrators and students must all be justifiably proud of its achievements. In particular, I wish to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership of dean Wang Zhenmin. His work has been crucial in contributing to the school's success.
We live in a fast-changing world. Past success does not mean, let alone guarantee, success in the future. I know that all concerned with the Tsinghua School of Law will not rest on its past success. As the famous Chinese saying goes, it is like rowing a boat against the current. If you do not progress, you recede. At the law school, the quest for excellence is never-ending and must never cease. Its work is of the greatest importance to the development of the rule of law in the motherland. I know that all concerned would take its past success to be an encouragement and that they will do their very best to take the law school to greater heights.
