On January 8, 2025, the Shanghai International Commercial Court recognized and enforced a Singapore High Court monetary judgment in Zhao v Ye (2023) Hu 01 Xie Wai Ren No. 28. It marks the first judicial confirmation of “reciprocal consensus” between China and Singapore under the 2022 reciprocity criteria, based on the China-Singapore Memorandum of Guidance (MOG).
On 22 September 2024, China Justice Observer released the 2024 version of the List of China’s Cases on Recognition of Foreign Judgments. To date, we have collected 109 cases involving China and 26 foreign States and regions. (Note: Foreign divorce judgments are excluded from the Case List.)
The Fifth Amendment (2023) to the PRC Civil Procedure Law introduced the long-awaited rule on refusal grounds of recognition and enforcement. This time, the four new articles provide the missing piece of the framework for the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in China.
Academy for the Rule of Law at China University of Political Science and Law
中国政法大学全面依法治国研究院
No, the agreement, at least the part relating to the organizational structure and internal governance matters, may not be arbitrable, says Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court in Tang v. Beijing XX Decoration Technology Company (2019).
German investors benefit from the new Chinese Foreign Investment Law.
The Supplemental Arrangement on the Mutual Enforcement of Arbitral Awards between the Mainland and Hong Kong SAR (2020) provides detailed interpretation on reciprocal enforcement of arbitral awards, and further refines the interregional judicial assistance system.
In December 2024, the High Court of New Zealand ruled to enforce a Chinese monetary judgment, rejecting the judgment debtor's natural justice defense (Hebei Huaneng Industrial Development Co Ltd v Shi [2024] NZHC 3656). This marks the third reported case of a Chinese judgment being recognized in New Zealand.
In June 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released five typical cases of environmental and resource trials and its 2024 report, highlighting stronger judicial efforts in biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, and environmental crime prevention.
On January 8, 2025, the Shanghai International Commercial Court recognized and enforced a Singapore High Court monetary judgment in Zhao v Ye (2023) Hu 01 Xie Wai Ren No. 28. It marks the first judicial confirmation of “reciprocal consensus” between China and Singapore under the 2022 reciprocity criteria, based on the China-Singapore Memorandum of Guidance (MOG).
In May 2025, China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) issued a new judicial interpretation, replacing its 2011 predecessor to standardize adjudication of government information disclosure cases and safeguard citizens' right to know by clarifying trial standards, defendant identification, burden of proof, and preventive relief.
China enacted its landmark first Private Economy Promotion Law, effective May 20, 2025, to guarantee fair competition, streamline market access via a unified negative list, and bolster private enterprises through financing, innovation, and service support.
China's revised marriage registration rules, effective May 2025, eliminate location restrictions, simplify procedures by removing hukou requirements, and align divorce processes with the Civil Code's cooling-off period.
In March 2025, China’s State Council issued detailed rules to operationalize the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, outlining asset freezes, trade and investment restrictions, and judicial countermeasures to protect national interests.
In December 2024, Beijing passed the "Beijing Autonomous Vehicle Regulation", effective April 1, 2025, to promote development and safety, allowing self-driving cars in taxis, buses, and more after rigorous testing.
On January 8, 2025, the Shanghai International Commercial Court recognized and enforced a Singapore High Court monetary judgment in Zhao v Ye (2023) Hu 01 Xie Wai Ren No. 28. It marks the first judicial confirmation of “reciprocal consensus” between China and Singapore under the 2022 reciprocity criteria, based on the China-Singapore Memorandum of Guidance (MOG).
In around 2019, a Chinese court in Hebei Province refused to enforce a US default monetary judgment from a California court on the grounds that a valid arbitration agreement was in place (Sunvalley Solar Inc. v Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms Co. Ltd. (2019) Ji 01 Xie Wai Ren No. 3).
In October 2024, the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia ruled to enforce a Chinese monetary judgment (Fujian Rongtaiyuan Industrial Co Ltd v Zhan [2024] NSWSC 1318). The Chinese judgment was made by the Fujian High People’s Court, which was affirmed by a judgment of China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) in 2021.
The 1961 Apostille Convention, effective in China as of November 2023, simplifies the authentication of foreign documents for use in Chinese courts by replacing traditional consular legalization with apostille. Note that authentication is only required for certain types of documents under Chinese law, and the apostille process applies only when the 1961 Convention is relevant.
In November 2024, Zhuhai, Guangdong, adopted China's first local regulation on commercial mediation, effective January 1, 2025, to govern mediation activities within the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.
In December 2023, the Seventh Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People’s Congress (NPC) promulgated the revised Company Law, introducing significant changes to governance, shareholding, and shareholder responsibilities.
The 2023 Civil Procedure Law introduces systematic regulations to enhance the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, promoting transparency, standardization, and procedural justice, while adopting a hybrid approach for determining indirect jurisdiction and introducing a reconsideration procedure as a legal remedy.
The 2023 Civil Procedure Law introduces a systematic framework for taking of evidence abroad, addressing longstanding challenges in civil and commercial litigation, while also embracing innovative methods like using instant messaging devices, thereby enhancing efficiency and adaptability in legal procedures.
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 China Legal Trends Meng Yu 余萌
In December 2024, the High Court of New Zealand ruled to enforce a Chinese monetary judgment, rejecting the judgment debtor's natural justice defense (Hebei Huaneng Industrial Development Co Ltd v Shi [2024] NZHC 3656). This marks the third reported case of a Chinese judgment being recognized in New Zealand.
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In June 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released five typical cases of environmental and resource trials and its 2024 report, highlighting stronger judicial efforts in biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, and environmental crime prevention.
Tue, 19 Aug 2025 Insights Meng Yu 余萌
On January 8, 2025, the Shanghai International Commercial Court recognized and enforced a Singapore High Court monetary judgment in Zhao v Ye (2023) Hu 01 Xie Wai Ren No. 28. It marks the first judicial confirmation of “reciprocal consensus” between China and Singapore under the 2022 reciprocity criteria, based on the China-Singapore Memorandum of Guidance (MOG).
Tue, 19 Aug 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In May 2025, China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) issued a new judicial interpretation, replacing its 2011 predecessor to standardize adjudication of government information disclosure cases and safeguard citizens' right to know by clarifying trial standards, defendant identification, burden of proof, and preventive relief.
Tue, 12 Aug 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) released five typical cases to strengthen holistic judicial protection for minors, exemplifying the "best interests of the child" principle through integrated criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.
Tue, 12 Aug 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
A Beijing court enforced a debt judgment for the first time by seizing and selling a company's carbon emission allowances, raising over $139,000 to pay owed wages to workers.
Tue, 12 Aug 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In May 2025, the Beijing International Commercial Tribunal (BICT) held its landmark first circuit trial, dismissing an offshore company's motion to invalidate an arbitration agreement and upholding the principle of arbitration clause independence.
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 Insights Meng Yu 余萌
In around 2019, a Chinese court in Hebei Province refused to enforce a US default monetary judgment from a California court on the grounds that a valid arbitration agreement was in place (Sunvalley Solar Inc. v Baoding Tianwei Solarfilms Co. Ltd. (2019) Ji 01 Xie Wai Ren No. 3).
Tue, 24 Jun 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In May 2025, the Shanghai International Commercial Court issued its first-ever investigation order to assist evidence collection in a SHIAC arbitration, strengthening judicial support for cross-border dispute resolution and bolstering Shanghai’s arbitration-friendly environment.
Tue, 24 Jun 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
China enacted its landmark first Private Economy Promotion Law, effective May 20, 2025, to guarantee fair competition, streamline market access via a unified negative list, and bolster private enterprises through financing, innovation, and service support.
Tue, 24 Jun 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In April 2025, China’s top court and procuratorate jointly issued a new judicial interpretation to clarify standards for handling criminal intellectual property infringement cases, aiming to strengthen IP protection, particularly in the service sector.
Fri, 20 Jun 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In April 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court released eight typical IP cases, highlighting judicial responses to emerging issues in AI, gaming, and biotech, including a landmark ruling on AI face-swapping copyright infringement.
Fri, 20 Jun 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In April 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) issued six guiding cases to improve enforcement efficiency, standardize practices, and coordinate enforcement with bankruptcy proceedings.
Tue, 27 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In 2025, China has lowered its departure tax refund threshold from 500 RMB to 200 RMB and doubled cash refund limits to 20,000 RMB while expanding eligible stores and streamlining processes, aiming to boost inbound tourism spending and promote Chinese products.
Tue, 27 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In April 2025, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Supreme People's Court released typical labor dispute cases emphasizing stronger protection of pregnant employees' rights, including a case where unlawful job reassignment and salary reduction were ruled illegal.
Tue, 27 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
China's revised marriage registration rules, effective May 2025, eliminate location restrictions, simplify procedures by removing hukou requirements, and align divorce processes with the Civil Code's cooling-off period.
Thu, 22 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In March 2025, China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) issued procedural guidelines for handling civil cases involving foreign state immunity, implementing the country's shift from absolute to restrictive immunity under the new Foreign State Immunity Law.
Thu, 22 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In March 2025, China’s State Council issued detailed rules to operationalize the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, outlining asset freezes, trade and investment restrictions, and judicial countermeasures to protect national interests.
Thu, 22 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In March 2025, the Shanghai Maritime Court upheld the validity of an ad hoc arbitration agreement, marking a precedent-setting decision that supports Shanghai’s goal of becoming an international commercial arbitration center.
Thu, 08 May 2025 China Legal Trends CJO Staff Contributors Team
In March 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) issued a judicial interpretation and six guiding cases to tackle prepaid consumption disputes, invalidating unfair terms, protecting consumer refunds, and penalizing merchants who abscond with prepayments.
