Shanghai Court Releases 2023 Typical Bankruptcy Cases, Including Mainland Assistance in Hong Kong Insolvency Proceedings

On 13 Mar. 2024, the Shanghai Bankruptcy Court released the “Typical Cases in 2023”.

A total of 10 cases were selected, including the previously reported case of in re Shanghai International Corporation (上海国际株式会社), in which a Japanese bankruptcy decision has been recognized in China for the first time, and in re Hong Kong Fresh Water International Group Ltd (香港港浩泽国际集团有限公司), which involved a Mainland Chinese court’s recognition of and assistance to Hong Kong bankruptcy proceedings.

On 30 Mar. 2023, the Shanghai Third Intermediate People’s Court rendered a ruling in in re Hong Kong Fresh Water International Group Ltd, recognizing the Hong Kong liquidation proceedings and the status as Hong Kong liquidators in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the PRC Enterprise Bankruptcy Law and the “Opinions of the Supreme People’s Court on Launching the Pilot Program of Recognition of and Assistance to Bankruptcy Proceedings in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” (最高人民法院关于开展认可和协助香港特别行政区破产程序试点工作的意见, hereinafter referred to as the “SPC Opinions”). The court also defined the scope of the Hong Kong liquidator’s functions and provided assistance to the liquidator in discharging its duties in the Mainland.

This is the first time that the Shanghai Third Intermediate Court has recognized and assisted a Hong Kong insolvency proceeding since it was designated as a pilot court by the “Record of Meeting of the Supreme People's Court and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Mutual Recognition of and Assistance to Bankruptcy (Insolvency) Proceedings between the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”(《关于内地与香港特别行政区法院相互认可和协助破产程序的会谈纪要》) and the SPC Opinions. This case marks a positive breakthrough in mutual recognition and assistance in cross-border insolvency proceedings between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Photo by Kido Dong on Unsplash

Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team

How Chinese Courts Work

Bankruptcy in Chinese Courts

China Legal Trends

China-Related Cross-Border Trade Dispute

China Issues New Rules on Foreign-Related IP Disputes

In March 2025, China issued regulations effective May 1, 2025, to enhance dispute resolution, evidence collection, and countermeasures for foreign-related intellectual property disputes, strengthening services and enterprise capabilities.

SPC Issues China’s First Anti-Anti-Suit Injunction (AASI) in IP Case

In December 2024, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) issued its first anti-anti-suit injunction in a patent dispute, Huawei v. Netgear, prohibiting Netgear from obstructing Huawei’s Chinese litigation, marking a significant step in global standard-essential patent governance.

Chinese Court First Applies CISG Advisory Opinion on Overdue Payment Interest Rate

In February 2025, the Shanghai International Commercial Court, for the first time in China, applied a CISG Advisory Council Opinion to set the overdue payment interest rate in an international sales dispute, reinforcing uniform CISG application.

SPC Launches Diversified Dispute Resolution Case Database

In February 2025, China's Supreme People's Court launched a public “Diversified Dispute Resolution Case Database” with over 200 cases, showcasing mediation and arbitration examples across various dispute types to guide alternative dispute resolution.

SPC Issues Judicial Interpretation (II) on Marriage Law, Covers Fraudulent Divorce & Live-streaming Gifts

In January 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) issued a new judicial interpretation on marriage law, addressing issues like fraudulent property transfers and excessive live-streaming gifts.

China Standardizes Foreign Currency Overdue Interest Rates

In February 2025, China's Supreme People’s Court (SPC) standardized foreign currency overdue payment interest rates, setting clear calculation rules for cases with or without prior agreements to ensure judicial consistency.