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 Kenya on Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters” (中华人民共和国和肯尼亚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 15 May 2017.
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Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
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.
SPC’s 2024 Typical IP Cases Include AI Face-Swap Ruling
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.
SPC Issues Guiding Cases to Streamline Enforcement
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.
China Eases Tax Refunds to Boost Inbound Tourist Spending
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.
Chinese Courts Bolster Pregnant Workers' Rights Protection
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.
China Revises Marriage Registration Regulation
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.
China’s SPC Issues Foreign State Immunity Case Guidelines
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.