China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) has announced an ambitious five-year reform outline aimed at enhancing the rule of law and improving the country’s business environment. Unveiled on Thursday, the plan outlines over 200 specific tasks for people’s courts nationwide from 2024 to 2028, marking the sixth such reform initiative by the SPC.
At the heart of the reform is the commitment to provide equal and long-term judicial protection of property rights across all forms of ownership. The outline emphasizes that any acts infringing upon property rights and legitimate interests, regardless of ownership type, will be equally addressed, criminalized, and punished in accordance with the law.
The SPC’s plan calls for the improvement of handling mechanisms and adjudication rules for complex cases involving criminal, administrative, and civil elements. It seeks to clarify the boundaries between criminal and non-criminal conduct, particularly in cases involving enterprises, to prevent unjust or erroneous charges or sentences.
Efforts will also be made to regulate preservation procedures strictly according to the law, explore innovative preservation methods, and establish mechanisms for lifting preservation measures when appropriate.
Si Yanli, a senior SPC official, highlighted at a press conference that these measures aim to ensure comprehensive, law-based, and equal protection of property rights. “The reforms are expected to effectively enhance entrepreneurs’ sense of personal and property security, allowing them to focus on entrepreneurship, invest confidently, and operate with peace of mind,” Si said.
The reforms are also anticipated to regulate business operations more effectively, ensure fair market competition, and improve mechanisms for the rescue and exit of business entities. Additionally, they aim to strengthen the judicial protection mechanism for a law-based business environment.
By addressing key issues in the judicial system, China’s latest reform plan demonstrates a significant step towards fostering a more transparent and equitable legal landscape, which is expected to bolster confidence among domestic and foreign investors alike.
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China's Supreme People's Court unveils five-year reform plan
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