China to apply domestic law abroad
US rivalry pushing China to apply domestic law abroad, legal experts say
Yahoo • October 25, 2025
China is increasingly applying domestic law beyond its borders in response to US pressure, legal analysts have suggested.
The “foreign-related rule of law” concept was first unveiled in 2019, and soon gained prominence.
Some leading Chinese legal analysts and policy advisers have said that the United States was responsible for this.
The 2023 Law on Foreign Relations was central to this drive, along with last year’s Law on Foreign State Immunity and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of 2021.
Beijing also introduced export controls on products that have dual military and civilian uses as well as rare earth metals.
“Simply put, it comes down to whether the global order should be governed by international law or by domestic law – and this is the dilemma facing the international community today,” Cai Congyan, a legal professor from Fudan University, told a seminar at Hong Kong University law school on Monday.
He added: “Domestic law is playing an increasingly important role in managing relations between states, while the influence of international law is diminishing.
“China’s concept of ‘foreign-related rule of law’ embodies its vision of how the global order should be regulated.”
The US has taken legal action against some of China’s leading tech firms. Huawei Technologies chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada and later pleaded guilty while ZTE has been accused of breaching US export control and sanctions laws.
“The role of international law is fading, while domestic law is becoming more important – not only in the US, but also in Europe. As China and other Global South countries gain influence, Western powers can no longer control institutions like the World Trade Organization or the United Nations as before,” Cai said.
He said this trend was “dangerous” for everyone, but Beijing would be “drawn” into the same direction as the US.
This year Beijing has increased its use of legal measures against the US, including recent curbs on rare earth exports and higher shipping fees.
Wang Jiangyu, a professor of law at City University of Hong Kong, said Beijing should “justify” its legislation and avoid the impression that it was using the law as a “toolbox to protect [its] national interests.”
Wang said China should “construct a narrative to persuade the international community” that its policies were justified.
“To construct a narrative that is widely accepted by the international community – one that people genuinely believe is good – which may in fact serve one’s own interests,” he said.
“In this regard, the United States has been the most successful in building such a system since the end of World War II.”
“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which is on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!” Isaiah 28:1
“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head” Obadiah 1:15
Joel
A Prophecy of Esau and Jacob 