China Launches Public Legal Database to Support Enterprises Operating Overseas

Dragon Media News Desk

China’s Ministry of Justice has launched a public database of legal resources for Chinese companies and citizens operating overseas. The platform, called LexCom, began full operations on Saturday and includes Chinese translations of foreign laws, representative cases involving cross-border matters, and Chinese laws related to overseas activity.

The database has been in pilot operation since July. It currently contains more than 1,500 legal resources covering 187 countries, as well as more than 1,800 Chinese laws, regulations and rules concerning foreign-related matters, said Zheng Wei, an official responsible for foreign-related legal affairs at the Ministry of Justice.

Zheng said the platform responds to strong demand from businesses and citizens for reliable, accessible information on foreign laws and representative cases, particularly as Chinese enterprises expand overseas.

Users can submit questions on foreign-related legal matters through the database’s website. They can receive either answers generated by artificial intelligence through searches of the platform’s resources or responses from a team of legal professionals.

Vice Minister of Justice Wu Yanjun said the launch is part of China’s efforts to expand legal services for its enterprises and citizens overseas and protect the country’s interests. China is also encouraging law firms to broaden their overseas service networks and support the development of international commercial arbitration centres, he said. Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai are now among the world’s preferred seats for arbitration, Wu added.

Regulations issued by China’s State Council and effective from July 1 encourage providers of consulting, evaluation, legal, accounting, auditing, credit-rating, mediation, arbitration and intellectual-property services to strengthen their international capabilities and provide high-quality professional services. The regulations also encourage investors to resolve disputes related to overseas investment through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, litigation or other means to protect their lawful rights and interests.