Refined legal services streamline border trade

Increasing caseloads

Central Asia is the birthplace of the Belt and Road Initiative. As the initiative progresses with high-quality development, trade between China and Central Asian nations continues to expand. This comprehensive, multi-sector cooperation is advancing steadily, resulting in a rise in foreign-related cases and a growing diversity in legal needs.

According to the Xinjiang High People's Court, the number of foreign-related civil and commercial cases accepted by courts across the region increased from 112 in 2021 to 226 last year. From Jan 1 to Sept 13 this year, the number of such cases reached 283, primarily concentrated in economically developed and open areas such as Horgos and Urumqi.

Tan Ting, chief judge of the high court's first civil division, said that the tribunals in the FTZ's three areas will leverage their resources and location advantages to optimize legal services, working with other authorities to promote the high-quality development of initiative and high-level opening-up.

Wu, from the Horgos court, said that it will further innovate its working mechanisms to effectively prevent and resolve foreign-related cases, positioning itself as a preferred venue for international commercial dispute resolution.

Beyond these tribunals, Xinjiang has also introduced additional services to meet the growing legal demand. In July 2021, a China-Kazakhstan joint dispute resolution platform was launched, where domestic and foreign market entities can access mediation, legal consultation and notary services.

In August last year, an international legal service zone began operations in Horgos, aimed at providing research on foreign-related legal matters and handling international affairs. So far, it has housed 26 institutions, including law firms, mediation organizations, international arbitration bodies and intellectual property agencies.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn