Nation Set to Tailor Laws to Suit WTO

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 ◆ Nation Set to Tailor Laws to Suit WTO

China will shake up its economic laws and regulations, and work for a better legal environment in an effort to fulfil its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The pledge was made by State Councillor Luo Gan at a two-day forum focusing on the challenges Chinese judges may face in the era after the nation gains official membership of the WTO.

He cautioned Chinese judges that they face a more complex situation.

"Judges should carefully study the WTO"s basic principles, learn from other members...and strengthen predictions about the legal issues and trends that may emerge after China"s WTO entry," said Luo.

"They should timely propose feasible measures that both respect WTO rules and benefit China"s economic and social development."

Sources with the Supreme People"s Court said 1,226 judicial interpretations that were inconsistent with WTO rules had been amended early this month.

After China"s WTO entry, judges are expected to handle an increasing number of cases involving foreign litigants in parallel with rising investment in the Chinese market.

In an effort to hone their skills, crash training courses have been offered to judges nationwide, where they acquire related knowledge about the WTO.

The judicial sector -- like China"s administrative departments and industrial structure is forecast by experts to undergo profound changes after China"s WTO entry.

"Courts should set up advanced judicial concepts and actively forge ahead with reform, with the aim of guaranteeing independent and fair implementation of judicial power," said Luo.

Apart from reviewing outdated judicial interpretations, Luo listed improvements in the judicial review system and a better legal environment to guarantee judicial fairness as some of the key priorities of courts preparing for China"s new status.

Luo echoed a recent Supreme People"s Court initiative to try civil and commercial cases involving foreign litigants in specially-designated courts in an effort to counter local and departmental protectionism.

Chinese courts have adopted a series of reforms since 1998, when court corruption and under-the-table deals caused serious public concern. Chinese citizens have been invited to hear public trials since then and past verdicts are now accessible to the general public in some courts.( China Daily)