[1] Zhiming Lecture Hall Session 4 — Expression of Intent in the General Principles of the Civil Code

[2] On the afternoon of June 11, 2020, the fourth session of the "Zhiming Lecture" sharing series, organized by Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm, was live-streamed on the Tencent Classroom platform. The theme of this lecture was "Declaration of Intent in the General Principles of the Civil Code," and the guest speaker was Cheng Yi, a legal assistant at Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm.
 

 
[3] Cheng Yi, Legal Assistant at Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm

 
[4] During the live lecture, Assistant Cheng primarily discussed the declaration of intent in the General Principles of the Civil Code, explaining what a declaration of intent is and how the effective time differs when made through dialogue versus non-dialogue methods. He also distinguished between declarations of intent with and without a counterparty. Finally, through specific case analyses, he clarified how to determine whether a civil juristic act is valid or invalid based on the declaration of intent.
 
[5] In the interactive session, participants sparked a lively discussion on how to assess the authenticity of declarations of intent in practice. The lecture was engaging and insightful, with everyone expressing that they benefited greatly. At the end of the session, attendees expressed hope that more similar lectures would be held in the future, to both consolidate professional knowledge and enhance the enjoyment of learning.
 
[6] The declaration of intent is a core concept in China's civil law theory, running through the three major civil law theories: the system of rights subjects, property rights, and creditor's rights. It is not only an academic theory but also ubiquitous in daily life, fully embodying the principle of private autonomy within the civil law system. Therefore, whether in legislation or practice, the declaration of intent holds significant importance for the improvement and development of China's civil law system.