Chinese law firms now have 180 overseas offices

BEIJING -- Chinese law firms have set up 180 overseas offices in 35 countries and regions, according to an official press conference held on Thursday.

Since 2018, the number of overseas branches of Chinese law firms has increased by 47.5 percent, and these overseas offices have played an active role in facilitating and ensuring economic and trade exchanges, as well as development cooperation, between China and other countries, according to the press conference.

Chinese law firms have established 63 offices in 24 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. A Belt and Road lawyers alliance initiated by the All China Lawyers Association now has more than 2,600 domestic and overseas members, covering 54 countries and regions, Ministry of Justice official Tian Xin said at the press conference.

In terms of the openness of the legal service industry, 158 law firms from 20 countries have established 208 representative offices in China to date, Tian said.