On 13 Nov.2020, Beijing Declaration (北京宣言) was adopted by the China Forum on International Legal Cooperation (中國法治國際論壇), an annual forum sponsored by China Law Society.
President Xi Jinping sent a letter to this Forum, and said China is calling on the attendees to have in-depth exchanges and build consensus conforming to the theme of "international legal cooperation in the context of COVID-19."
Beijing Declaration states:
1. Legal professionals from China, 18 countries and international organizations attended the forum.
2. All parties support the establishment and improvement of international commercial dispute prevention and settlement mechanisms.
3. Participants of the “Belt and Road” are encouraged to establish international arbitration and mediation mechanisms.
4. All parties support to introduce the cases of their respective international commercial courts, improve the ability to apply foreign laws, train judges each other, and develop the legal and case database of the participants in the “Belt and Road” initiative.
5. All parties support e-justice, such as online litigation and online arbitration, in response to Covid-19.
6. All parties jointly determine how to deal with cases involving Covid-19, such as force majeure.
7. All parties support mutual exchanges and cooperation between lawyers and notaries.
8. All parties work together to maintain global public health security.
Reference:
Beijing Declaration of China Forum on International Legal Cooperation (2020)(Full text)中國法治國際論壇北京宣言
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
