Yangpu of Shanghai advances high-level foreign-related rule of law to support enterprises going global

Yangpu district of Shanghai has made significant strides in recent years in advancing high-quality foreign-related rule of law to support enterprises in going global. By enhancing legal service supply, implementing targeted policies, and nurturing high-caliber legal talents, Yangpu aims to align with international standards and develop an innovative model of foreign-related rule of law that showcases its unique characteristics.

Support for enterprises' global expansion

The Justice Bureau of Yangpu District has established a coordinated mechanism for foreign-related legal affairs in collaboration with the district's commerce commission, investment promotion office, market regulation bureau, courts, and procuratorates. Through regular consultations, this mechanism identifies foreign-related legal risks and demands, coordinates international commercial dispute resolution, and facilitates a collaborative framework for information sharing and resource integration.

Furthermore, the Justice Bureau has worked with the People's Congress of Yangpu to conduct surveys on local enterprises in key areas such as digital economy, supply chain, and modern logistics, aiming to compile practical guidelines tailored to enterprises' overseas expansion and risk management needs.

Building on a solid top-level design, Yangpu has introduced innovative and effective measures to advance the foreign-related legal framework. For instance, in the first half of the year, two local law firms established branches in foreign cities including London and Toronto, while completing official registration in Shanghai. The district also launched a dedicated foreign-related legal publicity column, offering practical guidance on common challenges faced by enterprises going global, such as overseas investment and cross-border e-commerce.

Moreover, Yangpu has facilitated coordination with the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Shanghai Service to advance coordination between litigation and mediation, and has continuously improved the mechanism for referral to mediation in foreign-related cases.

In addition, the district has been strengthening the formulation and innovation of foreign-related legal policies, creating a ‌green, healthy, and sustainable development environment‌ for legal service institutions such as law firms, notary offices, and commercial mediation organizations, to go global and attract international resources.

Policy implementation

The district has also issued the Several Measures of Yangpu District for Foreign-related Legal Services to Support Enterprises Going Global, and included them as part of Yangpu's major administrative agenda for 2025. The document aims to provide policy support for developing Yangpu into a ‌foreign-related legal service hub with unique characteristics‌, with a focus on supporting the development of legal service institutions, attracting and cultivating high-caliber legal professionals, and strengthening the provision of legal services.

By adopting a systematic approach to address challenges in areas such as fragmented legal service resources and enterprises' limited capability in managing global risks, the document outlines eight key tasks across three major areas: expanding service networks, attracting and cultivating top-tier talent, and addressing industry-specific demands.

Talent development

Yangpu has adopted a two-pronged talent strategy that combines internal cultivation and external collaboration. The district has collaborated with renowned universities, such as Fudan University, Tongji University, and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, to launch specialized training programs aimed at cultivating foreign-related legal professionals. These programs are designed to strengthen the theoretical knowledge and practical expertise of foreign-related lawyers in the district.

Meanwhile, Yangpu encourages local law firms to establish overseas branches and collaborate with international counterparts on major projects. Through these initiatives, the district aims to cultivate versatile foreign-related lawyers well-versed in international rules.

After years of dedicated effort, Yangpu has built a team of foreign-related legal professionals with global vision, knowledge of international rules, and expertise in foreign-related legal practice. Currently, the district has 56 lawyers specializing in maritime and commercial law, 31 in foreign-related intellectual property rights, and 41 dedicated to cross-border investment and mergers and acquisitions.

Looking ahead, Yangpu will fully leverage its strategic advantages and pioneering efforts in advancing its foreign-related legal framework so as to support high-level opening-up through the building of a high-quality, law-based business environment.