Chinese Courts Boost High-Level Opening-Up
According to report from the Supreme People’s Court of China, the rule of law serves as the foundation for high-level opening-up, and Chinese courts are providing “Chinese solutions” for resolving international commercial disputes through fair and efficient judicial services.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), Chinese courts concluded 128,000 first-instance foreign-related civil and commercial cases involving over 100 countries and regions, marking a 65 percent increase compared to the previous five years. In 2025 alone, courts nationwide handled more than 67,000 foreign-related commercial and maritime cases, up 44 percent year-on-year.
To address the growing number of foreign-related cases, Chinese courts have established international commercial courts in Shenzhen and Xi’an, as well as international commercial tribunals in 18 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou. In 2025, these tribunals concluded over 1,700 foreign-related commercial and arbitration review cases.
Mediation plays a significant role in resolving cross-border disputes. For example, in January 2026, the Xiamen Maritime Court, in coordination with the Qingdao Maritime Court, successfully mediated a dispute involving a foreign oil tanker within just 24 hours.
China’s international judicial influence continues to expand. A case in 2022 involving a collision between a Liberian container ship and a Panamanian oil tanker in the Strait of Malacca serves as an example. Although the case had no substantial connection to China, the parties involved voluntarily chose the Ningbo Maritime Court to resolve their dispute under Chinese law. This fully demonstrates the international community’s trust in China’s judicial system.
News from: Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China
