Chinese judge says WTO rules will be enforced
The President of China’s Supreme People's Court, Xiao Yang, claimed the fair and efficient trial of cases related to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules as an "important" task in the years to come. He reportedly made the remarks at a forum where judges from local courts discussed WTO-related legal issues.
Mr. Xiao stressed that it is important judges strictly abide by laws in exercising jurisdiction and that all litigants be treated fairly. Cases should be handled by applying related laws, regulations and judicial interpretations, and any external interference must be weeded out.
Li Guoguang, vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, predicted that many new types of cases will appear as the number of foreign litigants increases. He said cases in the banking, insurance, securities, financing and leasing sectors were likely to emerge and he also forecast an increase in bankruptcy cases, labour disputes, and rows related to trademarks, patents, subsidies and anti-dumping.
Judges in South China's Guangdong Province have already felt the challenge, witnessing a surge in the number of cases involving overseas litigants and a rise in the money involved, according to Lu Botao, president of the Guangdong High People's Court.
