Lawyers work to resolve cross-border disputes

Prashant Kumar, chairman of the Bar Association of India speaks at the forum. [Photo for China Daily]

Although cooperation between China and countries participating in the initiative has made great progress, the lawyers' association still faces practical challenges in expanding legal cooperation.

Shen Lin, a senior official at the department of directing lawyers and notarization at the Ministry of Justice, said most participants are underdeveloped economies with unsound legal environments, and they are in urgent need of financial and technical support from China.

"In the past few years, failures in foreign investments involving Chinese businesses have risen, and it's essential to boost cooperation with legal professionals in participating countries to improve professional legal services to help Chinese investors," she said.

According to He, of the lawyers' association, to improve cooperation the association has established a database containing the details of 86 Chinese lawyers and 121 foreign lawyers from top-tier firms, who will "use the platform to analyze the laws and share information and experience to better serve Belt and Road projects".

His comments were echoed by legal professionals in participating countries.

Prashant Kumar, chairman of the Bar Association of India, said: "The Belt and Road Initiative is considered a historic moment and opportunity. It has built a communication bridge for lawyers from China and relevant countries to handle legal disputes and set an example to resolve problems between nations in the future.

"Although we have differences in laws, culture and environment, I believe our lawyers will join with their Chinese counterparts to unite consensus and create values together."

According to Jiang, the lawyers' association will set up representative offices in participating countries and regions to build joint operating relationships and business alliances with foreign counterparts.

In addition, the association will establish an annual forum with its foreign peers to discuss concerns and exchange views on international legal services during the promotion of projects related to the initiative, including infrastructure construction, international trade and shipping finance.

"The publication of this guidance is timely for businesspeople in all relevant countries, and it's crucial for Chinese investment in foreign countries," said Maria Slazak of the National Council of Legal Advisers in Poland.

"The Belt and Road Initiative is an opportunity for cooperation, including sharing information and the mutual exchange of needed products, which will help Chinese lawyers to go global," she said.