China’s accession to the World Trade Organization will entail a number of major reforms, not least in the legal sector. In preparation for WTO entry, China's maritime courts are now dedicated to reforming the maritime trial system relating to foreign maritime affairs. An important element of that is the need for increased judicial transparency. In order to enhance this, it has been decided that the courts will publish judicial results relating to maritime and commercial disputes between Chinese and overseas interests.
These changes are in line with efforts to improve the foreign investment environment in China and are a natural consequence of impending WTO membership. They also come at a good time because the number of maritime and commercial disputes heard by the Chinese courts is likely to increase commensurate with the greater volume of trade which is anticipated following WTO accession.
Source: Maritime Advocate