[3] On November 1, 2017, the "Guangdong Province Implementation Measures for the Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China" officially came into effect. To mark this occasion, the Shenzhen Bar Association organized a solemn oath-taking ceremony for newly licensed lawyers at the foot of its building. Lin Changchi, President of the Shenzhen Bar Association, and Wang Tengfeng, Vice President, attended the ceremony, which was joined by over 130 newly licensed lawyers. The ceremony was presided over by Chen Wei, Director of the Publicity Committee, with Xiao Huadong, Supervisor, overseeing the oath.
 

[4] At 9 a.m., over 130 newly licensed lawyers, dressed in lawyer robes and wearing badges, raised their right hands under the leadership of Vice President Wang Tengfeng, facing the national flag, and solemnly took the oath. They expressed their loyalty to the Constitution and the law, their commitment to upholding the authority of the Constitution and the law, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of parties and social fairness and justice, and their lofty faith and firm resolve to strive for a rule-of-law China.
 

[5] During the ceremony, Lin Changchi, President of the Shenzhen Bar Association, speaking as a veteran lawyer with 30 years of practice, offered advice to the newly licensed lawyers. He urged them to stay grounded, master diverse skills, and handle various legal matters with genuine expertise. He encouraged them to explore and identify a specialized direction, pursue a professional path, and keep their feet on the ground while looking up at the stars. President Lin stated, "The 19th National Congress report emphasized the need to advance the integrated construction of a rule-of-law state, rule-of-law government, and rule-of-law society, and lawyers will play a significant role in this process. Lawyers can provide services for the government's law-based administration, offer suggestions for Party committee decision-making, contribute insights for national scientific legislation, and leverage their strengths in public interest legal services and public legal services." He expressed that Shenzhen lawyers would continue to actively contribute to the construction of a model rule-of-law city in Shenzhen and required the newly licensed lawyers to adhere to professional discipline and uphold professional ethics.

[6] Shenzhen's legal profession has grown and developed alongside the reform-driven momentum of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. It established China's first law firm, the first specialized foreign-related law firm, and the first partnership law firm, and pioneered a series of major reforms nationwide, from full implementation of the partnership system to industry self-regulation. The Shenzhen lawyer team has also expanded from small beginnings—starting with just one legal advisory office and three lawyers in the city—to now 745 law firms and 11,422 practicing lawyers, with an average annual growth rate of nearly 12%. Additionally, legal services have developed rapidly, with total business volume rising year after year. Today, Shenzhen lawyers are involved in almost every aspect of the city's political, economic, and cultural development, as well as key projects and important activities. They have become a vital force in serving economic and social development, promoting social harmony and progress, and building an excellent rule-of-law city.