Beijing Passes Law Allowing Foreign States to Be Sued in China

China’s national legislature on Friday passed a new foreign state immunity law that will for the first time allow Chinese citizens and companies to sue foreign states in domestic courts.

The 23-article law, approved by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2024. It provides a legal basis for Chinese courts to take jurisdiction over civil cases involving foreign states, increasing the channels for Chinese citizens and companies to obtain relief.