On Sept 5, Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), delivered his eighth lecture on the rule of law at Beijing No 2 Middle School, where he serves as vice-principal of legal affairs. 

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court, delivers a lecture on the rule of law to students from Beijing No 2 Middle School, and their teachers and parents on Sept 5. It is the eighth lecture given by Zhang since he took the role of vice-principle of legal affairs at the school. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Addressing students, teachers and parents, Zhang drew on real-life cases involving minors to analyze underlying issues such as lack of empathy, disregard for norms, and inadequate communication skills that hinder the healthy development of minors. 

He emphasized the importance of guiding young people to develop empathy, respect norms, cultivate correct values, and improve communication skills to protect both themselves and others. 

The cases used in Zhang’s lecture demonstrate that failure to adhere to social norms may pose risks to oneself or others. He emphasized that everyone is equal under the law and urged students to learn about law, understand its principle, and integrate it into their lives, thereby improving their legal awareness and capacity to deal with problems using legal means in their daily life.

Zhang emphasized that youth is a vital stage for shaping values. He pointed out that minors' misconduct often stems from a lack of correct moral judgment, and encouraged them to cultivate integrity, foster socialist core values, and strive to become young people who love the Party and the country, are diligent and eager to learn, and are well-rounded in their development.

"Effective communication skills are crucial for the healthy growth of minors," Zhang noted, adding that many behavioral issues or cases of victimization stem from communication breakdowns with parents and teachers. 

Representatives of the students at Beijing No 2 Middle School and their parents listen to the lecture. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

He encouraged students to proactively seek help from parents, teachers, and friends when facing difficulties, emphasizing that a robust support system, including family, schools, and government institutions, stands behind them always. 

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People’s Court, presents legal books and court-themed cultural products to student representatives before the lecture. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Zhang called for the integration of family, school, society, internet, government, and judicial protections to jointly promote minors' healthy development. 

He also expressed hope for scientific education from family and school and social protection for minors. Noting that bullying and juvenile delinquency still occur, Zhang said "every adult should step in to stop bullying outside campus, and lawful self-defense is permitted. Educating and protecting minors is a shared responsibility of society."

The lecture was conducted both online and offline, with representatives from Beijing No 2 Middle School attending in person and other students participating via an educational live-streaming platform. 

Officials from the Supreme People’s Court, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, the National Health Commission, National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, Communist Youth League Central Committee, All-China Women's Federation, China National Committee for the Wellbeing of the Youth, and Beijing High People’s Court, as well as relevant officials from Beijing and its Dongcheng district, deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attend the event. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Before the lecture, Zhang presented legal books and court-themed cultural products to student representatives.

The event was attended by officials from the SPC, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, the National Health Commission, National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, Communist Youth League Central Committee, All-China Women's Federation, China National Committee for the Wellbeing of the Youth, and Beijing High People’s Court, as well as relevant officials from Beijing and its Dongcheng district. 

Also present were deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.