On the morning of September 6th , 2018, the seminar ‘Building a Community of Human Destiny and International Law’ was successfully held in Beijing. Professor Huang Huikang, member of the International Law Commission, Professor Kennedy Gaston, Secretary-General of the AALCO, Mr. Santiago Villalpando, Chief of the Treaty Section of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, Professor Yi Xianhe from Wuhan University, Professor He Zhipeng from Jilin University, Professor Yenkong Ngangjoh Hodu of the University of Manchester Law School and Professor Emilia Onyema of the University of London served as keynote speakers at the seminar. 42 legal officials from 39 countries participated in the seminar and Professor Huang Huikang served as the moderator.
Professor Huang Huikang first emphasized that at the moment of the successful conclusion of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, this seminar was an important part of the ‘fourth training session of the China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on international law’, and the construction of the community of human destiny will have a major impact upon the changing world we live in. He introduced the theme of this symposium, expounded the basic connotation of the community of human destiny, and pointed out that the community of human destiny includes lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, tolerance, cleanliness and beauty, and the history. From the macroscopic perspective of development from international relations, context and global governance ,he revealed the status and significance of the community of human destiny in international law. Professor Huang called on all walks of life to explore specific ways and means to promote the building of a community of human destiny, and to make recommendations on how to use international law to help achieve the above shared vision.
Professor Gaston spoke on the importance of international customary law in building a community of human destiny and international law. He agreed with the basic connotations of Professor Huang Huikang's five aspects. He pointed out that international customary law, as the main source of international law, is of great significance for promoting the development of the community of human destiny and the development of international law. However, it has to be acknowledged that the practice of third world countries, especially Asian and African countries, is often neglected, and occidental countries still dominate the current world order.
As another major source of international law, the Treaty, Mr. Villapando expressed his views, which he believed play an important role in building a community of human destiny and international law. Over the past few decades, mankind has been exploring the establishment of a better world, from bilateral mechanisms to multilateral mechanisms, from coexisting international law to international law of common cooperation, from individuals to the international community. He pointed out that the five basic connotations contained in China's ‘building the community of human destiny’ are in line with human needs and are the goal pursued by the country.
From the perspective of the spirit of international law, Professor Yi Xianhe proposed that the international law of the current era should be a joint international law: to reflect as much as possible the high-quality part of the overall spirit of society, to help solve social pressing problems, to help change the international community and make it even more harmonious. He believes that the global governance concept of ‘co-construction, sharing and sharing’ advocated by President Xi Jinping has pointed out a road to cooperation and win-win for solving global challenges.
Professor He Zhipeng, starting from the cultural diversity in the thought of the community of human destiny, discussed that all cultures should be accepted, respected, and prosperous in international civilization and order. There should be no distinction between high and low. Taking the 1840 Opium War as an example, he explained that not accepting cultural diversity is one of the important reasons for state conflict. He believed that minimizing and eliminating cultural discrimination or culturally unacceptable phenomena is one of the ways to achieve world peace.
As an expert in the field of international economic law, Professor Hodu introduced the legal rules in the multilateral trading system in the context of the threats to the international order of the world trading system over the past few decades. At the same time, he believed that weak countries should not remain silent, because silence represents recognition and acceptance, and weak countries should also strive to make their voice heard in the international community.
Professor Oyema agreed with Professor Hodu’s point of view that third world countries should try their best to express their views. At the same time, she introduced the necessity and importance of the establishment of the international dispute settlement mechanism by way of example, and it is an effective channel for the fair and convenient solution between the parties in different countries. He believed that the establishment of an effective dispute settlement mechanism is the only way to promote common prosperity.
Finally, the trainees raised questions about how to build up the balance of interests of the individual, the national and the international community, how to define the common interests of all mankind, how to issue their own voices in the international arena. The guests expressed their opinions and students. The cordial exchanges discussed and further elaborated on the connotation of the international law of "the community of human destiny". The participants had a better understanding of this important idea.
