Update: China revises arbitration law

BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Friday voted to adopt a revised Arbitration Law at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

The law stipulates that arbitration proceedings can be conducted online with the consent of the parties involved.

It also encourages arbitration institutions to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with overseas arbitration bodies and relevant international organizations, and to participate actively in the formulation of international arbitration rules.

To meet the evolving needs of arbitration practice and better build China into a preferred venue for international commercial arbitration, the revised law explicitly supports arbitration institutions in establishing branches outside China to conduct arbitration activities.

Foreign arbitration institutions can set up branches in pilot free trade zones approved by the State Council, the Hainan Free Trade Port, and other designated areas in accordance with relevant regulations, and conduct foreign-related arbitration activities.

In addition, the revised law introduces improvements to mechanisms concerning foreign-related arbitration, arbitration supervision, and judicial support for arbitration.

The revised law, comprising 96 articles in eight chapters, will take effect on March 1, 2026. ■