Themed, "The Rule of Law and Harmony of International Society,"
the 22nd Congress on the Law of the World opened today at the Great
Hall of the People in Beijing.
The congress will move to Shanghai on Wednesday for another
two-day session.
The biennial congress is an international conference sponsored
by the World Jurist Association (WJA).
According to sources with Chinese organizers, over 1,000
delegates from home and abroad are taking part in the week-long
congress.
Among them are 450 overseas delegates from 60 countries,
including justices, prosecutors, lawyers, law professors and senior
judicial officials.
"Strengthening global communications in the field of law is
important in building a harmonious world," Xiao Yang, president of
the Supreme People's Court, said yesterday at a ceremony marking
World Law Day.
"It also plays an important role in world peace," Xiao said.
He?added: "Building a harmonious world with the rule of law
requires participation and efforts from legal professionals
worldwide."
World Law Day typically falls on the eve of the congress.
Ronald Greenberg, the WJA's first vice president, echoed Xiao's
views yesterday. "Under the current world situation, no theme is
more timely and important than 'the Rule of Law and Harmony of
International Society' for the congress," he said.
Greenberg added that it was a pleasure for the congress to
return to Beijing since the 14th congress was held here in
1990.
Panel discussions will be held today on topics including
international terrorism, Family Law, Real Estate and Property Law,
International Criminal Law, alternative dispute resolution,
commercial arbitration and conciliation, and International
Investment and Transnational Corporation Law.
Ved Nanda, the WJA's honorary president, expressed gratitude
yesterday to the Chinese organizers for a well-organized event.
World Law Conference Program
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency September 5,
2005)
