BEIJING, Nov 3 (Bernama-Xinhua) — China’s top legislature has begun deliberating a draft law on combating cross-border corruption, which includes a provision on promoting the development of a fair and equitable global anti-corruption governance system, reported Xinhua.
The draft was submitted for its second reading at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), which runs through Friday.
The draft further elaborates on the legislative purpose and expands the principles guiding efforts to combat cross-border corruption.
It also stipulates that such efforts must be conducted in strict accordance with the Constitution and laws, follow statutory procedures, and respect and protect human rights.
The draft law was first submitted for deliberation in late August.
According to the top legislature, its formulation is an important step towards establishing a systematic and comprehensive foreign-related legal framework for anti-corruption efforts.
Structured into six chapters and 47 articles, the draft sets out the principles, scope and key positions underpinning China’s efforts to combat cross-border corruption.
The revised draft also includes provisions on the use of information technology by authorities in combating cross-border corruption.
It requires relevant authorities and their staff to keep confidential any state secrets, work-related confidential information, trade secrets, personal privacy and personal information obtained during supervision and investigations.
It also requires Chinese companies operating across borders to establish integrity and compliance departments or appoint dedicated staff, depending on their size, business scope and risk prevention and control needs.
The draft states that efforts to combat cross-border corruption should leave no area beyond oversight, leave no ground uncovered and maintain zero tolerance for corruption.
Such efforts should also address both the symptoms and root causes of corruption through a systematic approach, while actively participating in global anti-corruption governance.
China has stepped up international cooperation in combating corruption in recent years.
Since the launch of Operation Sky Net in 2015, China has brought back 14,048 fugitives from more than 120 countries and regions and recovered 66.62 billion yuan (about US$9.92 billion) in illegally obtained assets by the end of 2024, according to official data.
In 2025, China deepened international anti-corruption cooperation and investigated 505 cross-border corruption cases. A total of 963 fugitives were repatriated to China that year.
The draft law is also intended to regulate the development of cross-border businesses and help create a world-class business environment aligned with market principles, the rule of law and international standards.
China is a major trading partner for more than 160 countries and regions, and its total trade in goods has ranked first in the world for eight consecutive years.
By the end of 2025, Chinese investors had established more than 50,000 overseas enterprises across 190 countries and regions.
— BERNAMA-XINHUA