China Passes Law Against Cross-Border Corruption
The Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress has passed a law on combating cross-border corruption. According to Chinese officials, the legislation is intended to deepen international cooperation while protecting China’s sovereignty and national security. It establishes the legal framework for repatriating fugitives, as well as for tracing and recovering illicit assets. Furthermore, it introduces stricter confidentiality requirements for investigators, and imposes enhanced compliance obligations on Chinese companies operating internationally. The fight against corruption has been a central pillar of President Xi Jinping’s political agenda and is now expanded beyond China’s borders. The new legislation provides a framework for addressing corruption involving Chinese nationals and companies abroad, thereby extending Beijing’s controls beyond its territory.
China’s Understanding of State Sovereignty
The law reveals important aspects about China’s understanding of international cooperation and state sovereignty. On the one hand, the law demonstrates China’s ambitions to play a more active role in international law enforcement cooperation. On the other hand, its implementation depends heavily on the willingness of other states to cooperate, raising questions about their sovereignty and the limits of China’s jurisdiction abroad. This tension is particularly interesting in light of China’s traditionally strict interpretation of state sovereignty. It illustrates how Beijing claims authority not only over Chinese territory but also over Chinese citizens and Chinese companies abroad.
