New Beijing court to handle international commercial disputes

Aiming to provide a sound business environment for litigants from home and abroad, the Beijing International Commercial Court was established on Tuesday after approval from the Supreme People's Court, China's top court.

The new court was set up as a division under the Beijing No 4 Intermediate People's Court, as the intermediate court has specialized in handling capital-related commercial disputes involving overseas litigants since 2018.

According to the intermediate court, it has solved more than 6,000 such cases covering people in more than 60 countries and regions so far, which has helped improve its ability to handle such disputes.

Cheng Hu, vice-president of the intermediate court, said that the new court will deal with these disputes, contributing the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development efforts and the building of "two zones".

The "two zones" are a pilot free trade zone and a national comprehensive demonstration zone that will contribute to expanding opening-up in the service sectors that are being developed across the capital.

"We'll provide equal protection for litigants, no matter where they're from, when dealing with international commercial disputes," Cheng said, adding that the new court will also be a base for educating talent who can handle cases involving external affairs.

He said the intermediate court has arranged judges for the new court who speak English well and are knowledgeable about international trade and conventions.