ThePaper.cn:

We have observed that China's foreign-related legal services have experienced rapid development in recent years. What specific measures has the MOJ taken to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and enterprises? Could you please provide more details on the achievements that have been made in this regard? Thank you.

Tian Xin:

I will address your questions. The MOJ has consistently prioritized foreign-related legal affairs, implementing various measures and vigorously promoting the growth of foreign-related legal services to support China's high-quality opening-up.

First, we have advanced the development of foreign-related legal service institutions, promoted the growth of world-class law firms, and collaborated with relevant departments to enhance policies and measures to enable more Chinese lawyers to enter the global stage. Compared to 2018, the number of overseas branches of Chinese law firms has increased by 47.5%. These branches have played a positive role in boosting Chinese and foreign economic and trade relations, as well as international cooperation, by enhancing legal services across multiple fields, including investment, energy, basic infrastructure, intellectual property rights, and tax matters. The MOJ has supported nine domestic arbitral institutions in participating in the Supreme People's Court's "one-stop" diversified international commercial dispute settlement mechanism. Additionally, the ministry has advocated for the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission to establish branches in North America and Europe.

Second, we have expedited the training of talents in foreign-related legal services. The ministry has introduced relevant training measures and adopted a multi-method, multi-tiered, and field-based approach to facilitate the development of high-quality lawyers in foreign-related legal services. The ministry has conducted three senior training sessions for foreign-related lawyers and 10 training sessions for talent in foreign-related legal services. Compared to 2018, the number of foreign-related lawyers nationwide has surged by more than 4,800, representing a 67.8% increase.

Third, we have deepened international cooperation in legal services. During the 10th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Ministers of Justice, we convened the International Legal Services Forum themed on "Deepening cooperation in legal services to boost regional economic and trade development," promoting international exchanges to achieve practical results. The ministry has also held legal services exhibitions at the China International Fair for Trade for three consecutive years, inviting 139 foreign-related legal service institutions to participate in the fair to further enhance the global presence of Chinese foreign-related legal service agencies.

Fourth, we have steadily promoted the opening-up of the legal service industry. The ministry has supported foreign law firms in establishing representative offices in China and conducted pilot programs allowing Chinese law firms to recruit foreign legal advisors and assign lawyers to serve as legal advisors to overseas counterparts and vice versa. To date, a total of 158 overseas law firms from 20 countries have established 208 representative offices in China. Overseas arbitral institutions are allowed to conduct foreign-related arbitration business in designated areas, with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center having established its branch institution in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. Thank you.