WANG Shumei

Justice of the People’s Republic of China

Standing Member of the Adjudication Committee of the Supreme People’s Court of the People's Republic of China (Vice-Minister Level)

Distinguished Chair, 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Good morning. 

It is a great pleasure to address the first panel of today’s Seminar. 

Currently, global trade frictions are intensifying, and geopolitical conflicts are flaring up across multiple fronts, and bringing marked increases in instability and uncertainty worldwide. The security and stability of industrial and supply chains bear direct bearing on the stability of the international trade order and the shared well-being of all peoples. 

President Xi Jinping of China has insightfully observed: “In an era of economic globalization, only by upholding openness and cooperation in global industrial and supply chains can win-win development be achieved.” The Chinese courts, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, are committed to providing high-quality foreign-related judicial services to keep global industrial and supply chains secure, stable, and unimpeded. In this spirit, I would like to share three observations for our discussion.

First, we should uphold fairness and justice to consolidate the legal foundation for stable industrial and supply chains. Fairness and justice are the cornerstone of protecting the lawful rights and interests of Chinese and foreign business entities and maintaining the international trading order. Chinese courts consistently apply the principle of equal protection and hear, in accordance with law, various foreign-related civil and commercial disputes involving international sales of goods, cross-border investment and Mergers & Acquisitions, financing and guarantees, and cross-border e-commerce. We ensure that each case is handled fairly and in accordance with law to foster a fair, stable, transparent, and predictable legal environment for international trade. From 2021 to 2025, Chinese courts concluded 128,000 first-instance foreign-related commercial cases involving more than 100 countries and regions. In one dispute concerning an international contract for the sale of goods, where the places of business of both parties were in States parties to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), the court referred to CISG Advisory Council Opinion No. 16, and held that the parties’ choice of the law of a Contracting State did not, in itself, constitute an explicit agreement to exclude the application of the CISG. The court accordingly rendered its judgment pursuant to the CISG, equally protecting the lawful rights and interests of the Chinese and foreign parties. The ruling has reinforced the uniform application of the CISG, bolstered predictability in international trade, and underpinned the stable operation of cross-border industrial and supply chains. The case has since been included on the official website of the CISG Advisory Council. 

Second, we should focus on efficiency and accessibility to facilitate the swift and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains. Resolving international commercial disputes in an efficient and accessible manner is essential to reducing international trade costs and supporting the stable operation of industrial and supply chains. In recent years, Chinese courts have continuously advanced the development of digital courts, facilitating cross-border litigation

and steadily enhancing foreign-related judicial standards and capabilities. In one notable case, a foreign-flagged vessel was unable to operate normally because of unpaid crew wages. Based on trust in the Chinese judiciary, the foreign party applied to a Chinese maritime court for vessel arrest when the ship was calling at a Chinese port. To enable the vessel to resume operations as quickly as possible, the Chinese court promptly initiated the review procedure for vessel arrest and actively facilitated a comprehensive settlement between the parties. This comprehensive, one-stop resolution spared the vessel the high expenses of prolonged port berthing and enabled the vessel to safely depart ahead of an impending typhoon. The court’s handling of the case received high praise from both parties involved.

Third, we should pursue win-win cooperation to achieve co-governance of rules for secure industrial and supply chains. Openness and cooperation are essential to keeping pace with the prevailing trend of economic globalization. Stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains require not only fair and efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms, but also a consensus on fair and reasonable international rules. Chinese courts have long prioritized international judicial exchanges and cooperation and have actively contributed to the innovation and development of international commercial rules. On December 15, 2025, the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents was officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, extending the trade benefits long established by maritime bills of lading to all modes of transport. The Chinese judiciary provided a practical precedent for the innovation of these rules, demonstrating China’s commitment to modernizing international trade rules. The Supreme People’s Court of China has established sound cooperative relationships with international organizations such as the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, and the International Organization for Mediation, jointly contributing to the sustained stability of global industrial and supply chains. All expert members of the International Commercial Expert Committee have participated in the mediation of international commercial cases, offered professional advisory opinions, and assisted in ascertaining foreign laws, serving as an important bridge for exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign legal systems.

Distinguished Guests, 

Delivering a fair, efficient, convenient, and cost-effective resolution for cross-border commercial disputes is both a common objective of judicial authorities worldwide and a shared expectation of Chinese and foreign parties. Chinese courts stand ready to work with judiciaries, legal service institutions, and expert committee members from around the world. Let us continue to provide even fairer and more efficient judicial services to help safeguard secure and stable industrial and supply chains. Let us uphold open and inclusive cooperation to contribute China’s legal expertise to a higher-standard international commercial dispute-resolution framework. 

Thank you.