"The rule of law goes hand in hand with opening up. As opening up to the outside world moves forward, the construction of foreign-related rule of law must follow suit." On November 27, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized during the tenth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
Why "follow further"?
Today's China has never been so closely connected with the world. Different legal rules, business practices, and interest demands are intertwined. Only by continuously improving the quality and efficiency of foreign-related legal services, preventing conflicts in the first place, and resolving disputes smoothly can cross-border transactions be made safer, more convenient, and more secure. High-quality foreign-related legal services support high-level opening-up and have become an important part of the construction of Ping An China.
A European car company plans to invest in a new energy vehicle company in my country. One of the share purchase agreements involving more than HK$3 billion required notarization in accordance with regulatory requirements and transaction arrangements.
Here's the problem: There are only two days left before the signing, and the regular notarization procedures are not feasible.
Usually, before the notary office accepts the transaction, it needs to know who is dealing with whom, or what contract was signed. However, this transaction is highly confidential. The counterparty cannot be disclosed until the Hong Kong stock market closes the day before the signing, and the contract cannot be provided in advance. Even overseas certification materials are still on the way.
After careful consideration and judgment, the Shenzhen Notary Office decided to accept the application online first, and then have the notary witness the signing on site. The notary certificate will be issued after the materials are completed and verified to be correct.
Two days later, the agreement was signed as scheduled. A week later, the overseas materials were completed and the notarial certificate was issued smoothly. From the announcement of the cooperation to the completion of the delivery, it only took 25 days.
"Following further" falls in a cross-border investment and also falls in the balance between efficiency and safety of foreign-related notary services.
Mongolia is a natural partner in jointly building the “Belt and Road”. A bridge project encountered a project payment dispute that had dragged on for many years. In recent years, two Mongolian companies have had multiple rounds of talks with an overseas company invested and established by a Chinese company. They have intentions of reconciliation, but what they lack is an enforceable legal document.
In early 2026, both parties jointly chose to apply for arbitration to the Beijing Arbitration Commission and agreed to apply the Beijing Arbitration Commission’s fast-track procedures for mediation and arbitration to resolve the dispute. The arbitral tribunal only took 9 days to complete the written hearing and make a ruling in accordance with the law, and the first phase of the project was paid immediately.
This choice is not unique. Today, more and more cross-border disputes are resolved by Chinese arbitration institutions, and China has gradually become the preferred location for international commercial arbitration globally. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, my country's arbitration institutions handled approximately 17,000 foreign-related arbitration cases, with a subject amount of approximately 800 billion yuan, involving more than 160 countries and regions.
The newly revised Arbitration Law further improves the foreign-related arbitration system, supports the "going out" of my country's arbitration institutions, and also makes institutional arrangements for the "bringing in" of overseas arbitration institutions. With the official implementation of the new law in March 2026, my country's foreign-related arbitration has ushered in a broader space for development. At the same time, the arbitration system also provides high-quality and efficient legal protection for my country's overseas enterprises and citizens.
"Following further" lies in the efficient resolution of a cross-border dispute that has lasted for many years, in the construction process of the International Commercial Arbitration Center, and in providing more convenient and efficient arbitration services for the majority of companies and citizens going abroad.
Yiwu, Zhejiang. Each small shop is connected to the global market.
In May 2023, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise purchased a batch of goods from the operators of Yiwu Small Commodity City. The goods were delivered, but 40% of the payment has not yet been paid. One delay lasted for nearly two years.
After the business owner sued, the court transferred the dispute to the Jinhua Council for the Promotion of International Trade Mediation Center through the litigation and mediation docking cloud platform. The mediator took two days to help both parties reach an installment agreement.
The matter seems to have been resolved, but the money has not really been obtained after all. "Will it be possible to 'adjust but not persist'?" This is the most realistic worry of business owners in Yiwu.
The mediator and notary worked together, and after several rounds of online and offline communication, the business owner and the foreign businessman finally agreed to apply for notarization of the mediation agreement.
In July 2025, the Hangzhou National Notary Office will handle notarization through an online platform.
After the mediation agreement is finalized, the money will be repaid as agreed and the matter will be settled; if there is another breach of contract, the business owner can apply for enforcement in accordance with the law without filing a separate lawsuit.
"Following further" not only falls in the mediation and settlement of payment disputes for small commodities, but also falls in my country's further improvement of the connection mechanism between commercial mediation and litigation, arbitration, notarization and other systems.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Peace is peace in development, peace in dynamics, peace in opening up, and peace in the rule of law." Wherever opening up is promoted, the construction of Safe China will be extended, and foreign-related legal services will follow.
Traveling thousands of miles, there are rules to follow.
