China Reviews Draft Anti-Cross-Border Corruption Law

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress began reviewing the draft Anti-Cross-Border Corruption Law on August 25, 2026. The proposed legislation consists of six chapters and 47 articles designed to codify a decade of anti-corruption practices initiated by President Xi Jinping since 2012.

The law aims to expand the legal tools available to Chinese authorities for detecting offenses, collecting evidence, and recovering illicit assets from offshore crimes. It also establishes specific compliance obligations for foreign businesses operating in China and the overseas branches of Chinese companies.

State media, via the Xinhua News Agency, described the law as a vital initiative to protect national interests and facilitate the repatriation of fugitives. However, the legislation has drawn criticism. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate concerns that the law could be used for transnational coercion and extraterritorial law enforcement.