China eyes cross-border corruption law. Will it blunt the ‘long arm’ of the West?

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Meredith ChenMarch 9, 2026 at 02:30 PM

AI Summary

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China plans to enact a law this year to combat cross-border corruption, according to the National People's Congress Standing Committee's work report. The law, drafted by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, aims to prevent corruption by Chinese companies operating overseas and target fugitives and illicit assets abroad. Chinese authorities first announced plans for this legislation in 2023, and it was further emphasized in 2024. The move is expected to strengthen China's anti-corruption efforts internationally. Last year, Chinese courts recovered over $2.6 billion in illegal gains through international anti-corruption efforts. Some experts suggest the law could potentially shield Chinese companies from foreign "long-arm jurisdiction."

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 40% Supreme People's Court 50% Communist Party of China 60% Central Commission for Discipline Inspection 70% National People's Congress (NPC) ×280% China ×490%

Keywords

cross-border corruption 100% anti-corruption law 90% china 90% long-arm jurisdiction 70% illicit assets 60% overseas businesses 60% fugitives 50% international efforts 50% illegal gains 40%