China’s top judge says foreigners to be allowed into Chinese courts
Comments by Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People’s Court, come as government begins legal reform at a time of public discontent over perceived miscarriages of justice.
China’s top judge says foreigners will be regularly allowed into courts to listen to cases, state media reported today, as the government embarks on legal reform at a time of public discontent over many perceived miscarriages of justice.
The announcement by Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People’s Court, could have implications for foreigners and foreign businesses, which have increasingly become embroiled in lawsuits in China and complained about the mainland’s secretive judicial system.
Chinese courts typically refuse to release rulings, court dates and other details of lawsuits, and foreign reporters are usually blocked from attending human rights trials.
Zhou made the announcement to ambassadors and officials from 20 countries and regions at a “court open day”, saying the Supreme People’s Court “feels it is important to communicate with foreign countries on judicial affairs”, the state-run China Daily newspaper said.
“We’ve realised the need to invite ambassadors and foreign professionals when we tackle foreign-related disputes and provide legal aid for foreign litigants,” Zhou said, adding that this was also necessary to improve Chinese judicial work and develop international legal cooperation.
“More foreigners will be allowed to visit our court and listen to trials and cases involving foreign companies or citizens.”
