Cases involving foreign-related commercial disputes, handled by the Putuo district people's court in Shanghai, have been on the rise in recent years, according to a white paper released by the court at a press conference on Nov 12.

The number of commercial cases involving foreign, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan parties, handled by the court from January 2023 to October 2025, rose significantly, with 21 cases in 2023, 43 in 2024, and 57 as of October 2025, according to the white paper.

Geographically, these cases have expanded beyond regions like Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia to regions like Latin America and Pacific island nations, covering major global economies.

While traditional contract disputes such as sales, transportation, services, and import-export agency agreements remain prevalent, there has been a notable rise in corporate disputes, including company dissolution, capital subscription, and shareholder liability issues.

The white paper highlights the court's efforts in professionally handling foreign-related commercial cases, with a focus on key strategies include training talent with expertise in foreign-related rule of law, improving adjudication efficiency and effectiveness, and fostering law-based business environment through various initiatives.

The white paper unveils eight typical cases, summarizing the adjudication rules and main judicial measures. The move aims to establish expectations for foreign-related judicial proceedings, contributing to the building of a stable, fair, and transparent business environment.

At the press conference, the court also unveiled an action plan to support the development of the Shanghai-Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt and legal advice for risk prevention and mitigation in trade in bulk commodities.

Source: Shanghai Observer