Timely and vital legal support for global cooperation

When the Communist Party of China convened its first central conference on overall law-based governance in 2020, it set a historic precedent. Among the guiding principles laid down by the conference was the need for a coordinated approach to promoting the rule of law at home and in matters involving foreign parties.

Over the past five years, rule of law in foreign-related matters, an integral part of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, has made significant progress. Through the formulation of foreign-related laws and regulations and the establishment of implementation systems, China has steadily built a system that not only supports the nation's opening-up but also contributes to more equitable global governance.

The development of a foreign-related legal system adheres to a people-centered philosophy, focusing on addressing unbalanced development and promoting a more inclusive and sustainable globalization that benefits all.

In international economic cooperation, China advocates working with partner countries to advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation for jointly building an open regional economy. It practices genuine multilateralism, enhances the authority and effectiveness of the WTO-centered multilateral trading system and works with other countries to safeguard this system. China also seizes opportunities from the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to promote regional economic integration.

Through regional and global cooperation frameworks, China seeks to maintain stable industry and supply chains and strengthen the foundation for open development. Digital and green initiatives are also being promoted to upgrade cross-border trade through e-port networks and green supply chains. These initiatives reflect China's firm commitment to upholding an international order that is anchored in good global governance under the rule of law. In this way, it is actively building a community with a shared future for humanity.

China has established a fair, efficient, convenient and low-cost dispute resolution system through institutional innovation. This legal framework provides critical support to projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative. This approach not only safeguards national interests but also supports international cooperation for mutual benefit.

Sixteen cities have set up international commercial courts, offering convenient judicial services to both Chinese and foreign parties. These courts follow a rule that the judgment in first instance shall be final, which has helped improve efficiency. There is also a platform for ascertaining foreign laws, supported by five professional institutions and a panel of international experts, to bridge the cross-border legal differences.

Smart litigation tools such as online filing, mediation and evidence exchange have helped reduce litigation costs significantly. By August 2025, China's international commercial courts had handled 16,687 foreign-related civil, commercial and arbitration review cases and concluded 15,014 of them, delivering fair, efficient and cost-effective justice. These courts enhance the credibility of China's judiciary, protect the legitimate rights of enterprises operating overseas and foster a stable business environment.

China is also pioneering an integrated litigation-mediation-arbitration one-stop dispute resolution mechanism for resolving cross-border disputes. A milestone was achieved in May 2025 with the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, the world's first intergovernmental organization dedicated exclusively to the field of mediation. Guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter, it fills a critical institutional gap in global governance, offering a Chinese solution to international disputes based on dialogue and consultation.

As Chinese enterprises expand overseas, they have become increasingly aware of political and legal risks in host countries. China's international legal service system offers low-cost solutions that help mitigate risks and protect overseas investments efficiently. Chinese law firms have been encouraged to set up overseas branches and cooperate with foreign legal institutions. This has helped build a global network covering major economic regions, providing timely and professional legal support for enterprises and citizens abroad.

In March 2025, the Belt and Road International Legal Services Association was established in Xiamen, the first international professional organization in the field of rule of law named after the initiative. The association offers comprehensive legal services across nearly 30 countries to support Chinese enterprises going global.

Regional initiatives are also strengthening this legal connectivity. For example, Shanghai, drawing on its advantages as a free trade zone and international financial center, has issued an action plan to strengthen legal cooperation with countries involved in the BRI. Yunnan, capitalizing on its geographic proximity to South and Southeast Asia, is promoting China-ASEAN legal service cooperation by offering customized services such as due diligence and compliance consulting for ASEAN members.

Through top-level planning, institutional support and practical innovation, China has constructed a fair, efficient, and convenient foreign-related legal system. This framework effectively protects the legitimate rights and interests of the State, enterprises as well as citizens, while serving as a vital legal support for international cooperation and shared development. Looking ahead, the system will continue to be refined, providing stronger legal guarantees for cross-border economic and trade collaboration and contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The author is the dean of the School of Law at Jilin University.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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