Justices gather in China to discuss cross-border cooperation

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Over a hundred of judges and officials from 16 countries have taken part in the first ever Silk Road International Forum on Judicial Cooperation held in the city of Dunhuang, northwest China’s Gansu Province on Tuesday.

The forum focused on a number of legal issues, including the rule of law, judicial reforms and cross-border disputes. It provided a platform for new working relationships between the judicial systems in countries along the Belt and Road.

Liu Guixiang, Justice of China’s Supreme People’s Court, says it’s imperative that countries foster a fair and open environment. /CGTN Photo

Justice Liu Guixiang said there is no doubt that as economic activities increase, disputes would arise among countries involved. This requires the buildup of an open, fair and transparent legal environment to properly serve investors and entrepreneurs.

Participants at the forum expressed belief that dialogue is the first step to reaching that goal. But the process is a long one, considering differences in political systems, religions, and cultures, among others.

Judges and officials from 16 countries met in the city of Dunhuang, in northwest China’s Gansu Province. /CGTN Photo

Over 100 countries worldwide have already joined the Belt and Road Initiative, which was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. To facilitate the interaction between people and businesses, China has signed more than 30 judicial assistance treaties. And this cooperation is set to cover more aspects of the cross-border judicial system.

The Global China Law can serve as a way to make the rest of the world more familiar with China’s legal system. /CGTN Photo

The forum launched the Global China Law, an electronic database of China’s laws and legal cases, written down in Chinese and English. Those at the event also signed a memorandum of understanding to show their commitment to cross-border cooperation in the long run.

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