China approves new blocking legislation against foreign laws

On 9th January 2021, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China approved Order No. 1 of 2021 entitled “Measures for Blocking the Improper Extraterritorial Application of Foreign Laws and Measures.” The order allows Chinese citizens, legal persons, or other organizations to report to the State Council any foreign laws or measures that limits normal economic trade with third countries. If the report is judged as valid by a ‘working mechanism’, then the foreign law or measure can be suspended or revoked and the Chinese citizen, legal person, or organization can seek damages. Please see the Ministry of Commerce’s news release regarding this new Order for further information.