On January 12, the academic seminar on Chinese path to modernization and the construction of public health emergency rule of law system jointly sponsored by the major project of the National Social Science Fund Research on the Rule of Law System for the Prevention and Control of Major Public Health Emergencies, the Jiangsu Provincial Local Legislation Research Base of Southeast University, the Legislative Research Association of Jiangsu Law Society, and Beijing Dacheng (Nanjing) Law Firm was successfully held in the Sipailou campus of Southeast University. More than 70 experts, scholars and master doctoral candidates from Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission, China Society of Health Law, Shandong Law Society, Jiangsu Law Society, Southeast University, Nanjing University, Renmin University of China, Nankai University, Northeast University, Hohai University, China University of Political Science and Law, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Jiangnan University, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, Southwest Medical University, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Dacheng (Nanjing) Law Firm, etc. attended the seminar.

The opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the conference was presided over by Meng Hongzhi, the chief expert of the National Social Science Fund's major project Research on the Rule of Law System for Prevention and Control of Major Public Health Emergencies, a professor at the School of Law of Southeast University, director of the Jiangsu Provincial Local Legislation Research Base, and president of the Jiangsu Provincial Law Society's Legislative Research Association. Professor Meng Hongzhi introduced the background and agenda of the conference, and gave a grand introduction and warm welcome to the leaders, experts, and scholars attending the conference. Subsequently, Professor Wang Lusheng, Director of the Social Sciences Department at Southeast University, and Lu Ying, Director of the Regulations Department (Administrative Approval Department) of the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission, delivered speeches respectively.

Professor Wang Lusheng, Director of the Social Science Department of Southeast University, warmly welcomes the arrival of all the leaders and guests on behalf of Southeast University. He fully recognizes the role of the National Social Science Fund major projects led by Professor Meng Hongzhi as the chief expert in promoting the overall scale and interdisciplinary development of the university's national level major projects. He congratulates the research team on a series of excellent research results on the legal system for the prevention and control of major public health emergencies, and wishes this seminar a complete success.

Lu Ying, Director of the Regulations Division (Administrative Approval Division) of the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission, extended congratulations on behalf of the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission on the smooth convening of the conference. She emphasized that the forum’s theme of Chinese-style Modernization and the Construction of a Legal System for Public Health Emergencies aligns with the decisions and deployments of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee to comprehensively deepen reforms and advance Chinese-style modernization. The insights of the expert participants provide important references for advancing legislation on responses to public health emergencies at both the national and Jiangsu provincial levels. In the subsequent phase, support will be provided for the academic research of the research team, and through the interaction between theory and practice, the cause of health law will be advanced to a new level. She also wished the conference a successful conclusion.

Discussion Phase of the Research Project

After the opening ceremony, the various sub-projects under the Major Project of the National Social Science Fund, Research on the Legal System for the Prevention and Control of Major Public Health Emergencies, sequentially reported on their research progress and conducted comprehensive and in-depth discussions on the next research tasks.

First Phase of Discussion

The first phase of discussion focused on The Legal Logic and Theoretical Basis for Constructing a System for Preventing and Controlling Major Public Health Emergencies. It was chaired by Professor Yang Chunfu from the School of Law, Southeast University. Lecturer Zhang Yunhao from Southeast University presented a report on the research framework, current progress, challenges, and next steps for Sub-project One. Professor Mo Yuchuan from the School of Law, Renmin University of China delivered a keynote speech, followed by discussions from postdoctoral researcher Deng Xiwen from China University of Political Science and Law, Lecturer Wu Dongxing from the School of Law, Southeast University, and Lecturer Yu Yifan from the School of Marxism, Nanjing Forestry University. Finally, Professor Yang Chunfu, the leader of the sub-project, delivered a concluding speech and outlined specific requirements for the next phase of research.

Second Phase of Discussion

The second phase of discussion centered on the theme of Organizational Structure and Power Allocation for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Preventing and Controlling Emergencies ('Market-Society-State' Approach). It was hosted by Professor Guan Baoying from Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. Lecturer Hou Jiachun from the School of Law and Politics, Nanjing Tech University, presented a report on the research framework, current progress, and next steps for Sub-project Two. Professor Xie Zhiyong, Director of the Institute of Comparative Law Studies, China University of Political Science and Law, delivered a keynote speech. Professor Shen Xiaobing from the School of Public Health, Southeast University, Professor Yue Yuanlei from the School of Medicine and Humanities, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, and Associate Professor Wang Weiling from the School of Law, Southeast University, also made contributions to the discussion. Finally, Professor Xing Hongfei, the leader of the sub-project, delivered a concluding speech and outlined specific requirements for the next phase of research.

Third Phase of Discussion

The third phase of discussion revolved around the theme of The Legal Implementation System for 'Full Chain' Prevention and Control of Major Public Health Emergencies. It was chaired by Professor Zhang Zhiyu, Dean of the School of Law and Politics, Nanjing Tech University. Lecturer Hua Ziyan from the School of Law, Jiangnan University, presented a report on the research framework, current progress, and next steps for Sub-project Four. Professor Song Hualin, Dean of the School of Law, Nankai University, delivered a keynote speech. Hu Xiaoxiang, Executive Director and Vice Chairman of the Academic Committee of the China Health Law Society, Professor Wang Lixin from the School of Medicine, Southeast University, and Associate Professors Liu Jianli, Chen Yuling, and Gao Xiang from the School of Law, Southeast University, also made contributions to the discussion. Professor Zhang Zhiyu, on behalf of Sub-project Four, delivered a concluding speech and outlined specific requirements for the next phase of research.

Fifth Phase of Discussion

The fifth phase of discussion focused on the theme of Accountability, Rights Relief, and Resource (Human, Financial, Material) Guarantees in the Prevention and Control of Major Public Health Emergencies. It was hosted by Professor Tu Zhenyu from the School of Law, Nankai University. Ph.D. candidate Li Xuan from the School of Law, Southeast University, presented a report on the research framework, current progress, and next steps for Sub-project Five. Professor Qi Jiangang from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Professor Luo Gang, Dean of the School of Law, Southwest Medical University, and Associate Professor Bai Yunfeng from the School of Law, Nanjing University, delivered keynote speeches. Shen Dingcheng, Deputy Director of the Research Division, Jiangsu Law Society, Meng Xingyu, Lecturer at the School of Law, Nanjing Normal University, and Researcher at the China Institute for the Modernization of Rule of Law, Associate Researcher Zheng Xiaojun (newly appointed), Associate Professor Li Yuxing from the School of Law, Southeast University, and Professor Mo Yuchuan from the School of Law, Renmin University of China, also made contributions to the discussion. Professor Tu Zhenyu, the leader of Sub-project Five, delivered a concluding speech and outlined specific requirements for the next phase of research.

Meeting Summary

Ming Zhu, Director of the Propaganda Department and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Legal Forum at Shandong Law Society, congratulated the research team on their progress and noted that the current research ideas and plans were relatively clear. The insights provided by the participating experts played a significant role in advancing the research. She suggested that the team strengthen comparative and empirical research and expressed her hope for significant research achievements that would contribute to the development of the rule of law in China's response to major public health emergencies.

Professor Meng Hongzhi stated that the attending experts and scholars put forward many inspiring and constructive suggestions for the research topic, reached multiple consensuses, and the conference was a complete success. After the meeting, the research group will carefully study the valuable opinions and suggestions put forward by the experts, and continuously improve the research content of the project. Finally, Professor Meng Hongzhi, on behalf of the research group, once again expresses sincere gratitude to all the leaders, experts, and scholars present. The meeting came to a close amidst enthusiastic applause.