On Feb 25, the Shanghai High People's Court (SHPC) held a press conference to officially release the second season of its judicial documentary regarding foreign-related rule of law in the business environment, a continuation of China’s first documentary in this area, released in 2023.

The second season of the documentary regarding the rule of law in the business environment from the perspective of foreigners is released at a press conference on Feb 25. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Jia Yu, president of the SHPC, attended the press conference. Wang Liqiu, head of the political department of the SHPC, spoke at the event, reflecting on the impact of the documentary’s first season and outlining the creative vision behind the second season.

Building on the success of the first season, the new installment highlights Shanghai’s commitment to creating a transparent, law-based and international business environment. 

Wang Liqiu, head of the political department of the Shanghai High People’s Court, addresses the event. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Expanding beyond the scope of the first season, the second season delves into foreign-related adjudications, mediation, arbitration and judgment enforcement, featuring perspectives from a wider range of international participants, including professionals from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as from Australia, Europe, Japan and the US. Through firsthand accounts, the documentary seeks to address global concerns while showcasing Shanghai’s efforts to foster an open and inclusive judicial system. 

At the press conference, foreign business professionals, investors and legal experts from countries such as Argentina, France, Switzerland and Germany shared their positive experiences of Shanghai’s legal environment via video link, reinforcing their trust in the city’s judicial system.

International participants engage in the discussions via video link. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Judges involved in the documentary also reflected on their experiences, emphasizing Shanghai’s efforts to enhance arbitration, improve cross-border bankruptcy recognition, and refine legal services to boost investor confidence.  

Judges involved in the documentary share their experiences. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

As China continues to deepen its legal reforms, Shanghai courts remain at the forefront of building a market-driven and law-based business environment. The city is committed to advancing foreign-related judicial practices, strengthening international cooperation, reinforcing its position in global legal discourse, and further enhancing its status as a key player in the international legal community.

Ma Xiaohong, deputy head of the publicity department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasized that Shanghai has been actively showcasing its innovative initiatives to improve the business environment through various media channels and international platforms, thereby boosting the city's global reputation. The documentary series has played a significant role in offering the international community a more authentic and comprehensive view of Shanghai and China. She expressed hope that Shanghai courts will continue to play their due part in enhancing the city's international communication capabilities, working together to tell the story of Shanghai’s business environment and China’s legal progress to a wider audience.

Ma Xiaohong, deputy head of the publicity department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, delivers a speech at the event. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Jia Yu, president of the Shanghai High People's Court, delivers a speech at the event. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Jia underscored the importance of foreign-related rule of law as a critical component of China’s broader legal modernization efforts. Shanghai courts have played an essential role in strengthening foreign-related judicial practices, supporting China’s commitment to opening up, he noted. To further elevate the international impact of Chinese judiciary, Jia suggested expanding the global reach of foreign-related legal work, continuously innovating judicial mechanisms, and telling stories from an international perspective. Through cross-sector collaboration, he expressed his hope that Shanghai’s judicial practices will receive widespread recognition and contribute to a fairer, more inclusive global legal order.

Representatives from related organizations attend the press conference.  [Photo/court.gov.cn]