On November 11, the 12th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) deliberated four draft laws, including the Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China (Draft Revision) (the "Draft"), the Maritime Law of the People's Republic of China (Draft Revision), and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Popularization of Science and Technology (Draft Revision). The full text of these draft laws has been released to solicit public opinions for a 30-day term.

The Draft introduces significant proposed changes, primarily focusing on : re-affirming the Party's leadership in arbitration work; improving the system for foreign-related arbitration by expanding its scope, introducing a "special arbitration" mechanism, establishing a "seat of arbitration" system, and supporting arbitration institutions in both adopting international best practices and expanding their global presence; enhancing the credibility of arbitration, with the efforts to improve internal governance and management rules of arbitration institutions, increase the transparency of arbitration institutions and arbitrators, broaden the channels for appointing arbitrators, clarify the responsibilities in the judicial and administrative work, and prevent fraudulent arbitration proceedings; and promoting arbitration practices with Chinese characteristics aligned with international standards, clarifying the legal validity of online arbitration, shortening the time limit for applications to set aside arbitral awards, and fully respecting the principle of party autonomy.

(Source: www.npc.gov.cn)