Extraterritorial application of Chinese laws to be strengthened

China will extend the global reach of its laws and promote international cooperation on the rule of law, Minister of Justice Fu Zhenghua said recently.

Fu said the country will accelerate construction of a system for the extraterritorial application of laws this year to better apply Chinese laws to conduct that takes place outside its territory.

“We will improve the standards and procedures for the extraterritorial application of existing laws, strengthen the judicial practice of law enforcement in foreign countries, and enhance the international influence of China’s judicial practice,” he said.

International exchanges and cooperation on the rule of law will be further promoted this year, he said.

Last year, China held the Global Lawyers Forum for the first time. It was attended by around 800 legal professionals from 57 countries, the ministry said.

The Belt and Road International Lawyers Association was also formed last year to provide a platform for exchanges among lawyers from countries involved in the initiative, it said.

Fu said cooperation platforms including the association will play their roles and scholars and lawyers will study the rules and regulations of countries involved in the initiative to provide better legal services and guarantees for its construction.