Until now, trials involving non-residents were almost always closed to the public. The diplomatic complaints and the fear of losing financial capital have prompted the government to back down. The president of the highest court: "The things need to be improved, we will involve the embassies”.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - In order to minimize popular discontent against the judiciary, China's Supreme People's Court announced today that foreigners resident in the country will be able to enter the national courts to assist in the proceedings. The decision is part of a legal reform that should be outlined in the coming months, and covers the growing number of cases involving businessmen and non-Chinese citizens.

President of the Court, Zhou Qiang, announced the news in front of diplomats and officials from about 20 foreign nations: these were gathered at the highest court for an "open day" on the relationship between the judiciary and non-citizens. Zhou said the Chinese judicial work "needs to be improved. We've realised the need to invite ambassadors and foreign professionals when we tackle foreign-related disputes and provide legal aid for foreign litigants".

The question is important, especially to maintain the flow of foreign capital into China. In July 2014 the United States and Great Britain complained about the restrictions imposed in the trial of a non-Chinese couple, involved in a case relating to the operations of the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. The perception of the international community resident in the country about the national law is very low, and trials almost always end with the sentencing of foreigners.

 

 

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