On 30 Oct. 2022, China’s legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, ratified the “Treaty between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Congo on Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters” (中华人民共和国和刚果共和国关于刑事司法协助的条约), which was signed by representatives of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on 5 July 2016.
Cover Photo by jonathan BUHENDWA on Unsplash
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
SPC Releases Typical Cases (2024) Boosting China’s Fight for Environmental Justice
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).
SPC Issues New Rules for Government Information Disclosure Cases
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's Top Court Releases Minor Protection Cases
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.
Beijing Court’s First Carbon Credit Enforcement
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.
Beijing Int’l Commercial Tribunal Concludes First Circuit Trial
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.
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).
China’s Shanghai Court Issues First Investigation Order to Support International Arbitration
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.
China Enacts Landmark Private Economy Promotion Law
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 Strengthens Criminal IP Protection with New Rules
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.