The 5th National Conference on Foreign-Related Commercial and Maritime Trial Work (“the Conference”) was held in Qingdao on November 7th, 2018. 

Prior to the Conference, Zhou Qiang, President of the Supreme People's Court of China (“the SPC”) emphasized that we should adhere to the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and uphold Reform and Opening-up. He said that the Conference shall comprehensively summarize the achievements and experience regarding foreign-related commercial and maritime trials, and that the people’s courts should provide stronger judicial services and guarantees for the implementation of major national strategies.

Zhou Qiang pointed out that over the years, the people’s courts at all levels have been focusing on the overall situation, adhering to reform and innovation, earnestly implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and major strategies, such as the Pilot Free Trade Zones, the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Maritime Power. The courts have adjudicated fairly and efficiently foreign-related commercial and maritime cases in accordance with relevant laws, carefully studied and analyzed international conventions and customs, and actively participated in the negotiation of international trade, economic and maritime rules. All of these shows a good image of Chinese judicature, and contribute positively to the national territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests and the Reform and Opening-up.

Zhou Qiang said that China is now going through an important period of promoting the Reform and Opening-up of the new era. As profound changes have taken place in international and domestic situations, it raises new requirements for foreign-related commercial and maritime trial work. The people’s courts at all levels should always adhere to the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly establish “Four Consciousnesses”, adhere to “Two Maintenance”, and uphold reform and opening-up. The people’s courts shall take solid progress in the construction of China International Commercial Court and China International Maritime Judicial Center, implement the strategy of fine trial, give full play to the function of trial, strengthen investigation and research on major issues of Reform and Opening-up in the new era, and provide more efficient judicial services and guarantees for the implementation of major strategies. The people’s courts should vigorously strengthen the construction of smart courts and promote the specialization, informatization, internationalization and international influence of foreign-related commercial and maritime trial work. The people’s courts should also strengthen the construction of foreign-related commercial and maritime trial teams, cultivate a group of highly qualified judicial personnel with excellent political consciousness and international vision, provide strong institutional guarantee for foreign-related commercial and maritime trial work, in order to make the people feel fair and just in every judicial case.

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*The original text is Chinese and has been translated into English for reference only. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the Chinese version and the English version, the Chinese version shall prevail.