Core Insights - As of September this year, China's maritime courts have accumulated a total of 638,000 cases, reflecting a significant increase in both the number and types of maritime disputes handled [1][2] Group 1: Case Volume and Types - The annual case volume has surged from 18 cases in 1984 to 34,400 cases in 2024, with a cumulative total of 638,000 cases by September 2025, involving a total amount exceeding 4.5 trillion RMB [1] - The range of cases accepted has expanded from 18 categories to 108, moving beyond maritime trade disputes to include emerging areas such as marine development, environmental protection, and port construction [1] Group 2: International Influence and Challenges - China's maritime judicial influence has grown internationally, with 88,000 foreign-related maritime cases accepted, involving parties from 146 countries and regions [2] - Despite the progress, challenges remain, such as the need for enhanced attraction of maritime judicial services in areas like marine insurance and ship financing [2] - There is currently no specialized legislation governing inland waterway cargo transport, which does not align with the growing judicial demand in the inland shipping economy [2]

Core Insights - The report highlights the significant development and achievements of China's maritime trial system over the past 40 years, emphasizing its role in supporting the construction of a maritime power and high-level opening-up [1][2] Group 1: Development of Maritime Courts - China established its first maritime courts following a decision by the National People's Congress in November 1984, leading to a comprehensive maritime trial system that has evolved significantly [1] - The maritime trial system has matured with the establishment of 11 cross-administrative regional maritime courts and 42 branch courts, creating a three-tier court system covering all maritime areas and navigable waters [1] Group 2: Case Volume and Types - The annual case volume has surged from 18 cases in 1984 to 34,400 cases in 2024, with a cumulative total of 638,000 cases and a total amount in dispute exceeding 4.5 trillion yuan [2] - The scope of cases has expanded from 18 categories to 108, now including emerging fields such as marine development, environmental protection, and new maritime economic activities like offshore wind power and marine ranching [2] Group 3: Legal Framework and International Influence - The maritime legal system in China is continuously improving, with the Supreme Court issuing 38 maritime judicial interpretations and normative documents, along with 16 guiding cases and 122 typical cases [2] - The "Beijing Convention on Judicial Sale of Ships," driven by Chinese judicial practice, has become the first international maritime convention named after a Chinese city, showcasing China's influence in developing international maritime judicial rules [2]

Core Points - The Chinese maritime courts have accepted a total of 88,000 foreign-related maritime cases over the past 40 years, involving 146 countries and regions [1] - Since 2013, Chinese courts have adjudicated over 300,000 maritime disputes related to cargo transportation, insurance, ship collisions, and shipbuilding, as well as 27,000 inland shipping disputes and 5,600 port operation and construction disputes [1] - The current number of registered seafarers in China exceeds 2.03 million, with 970,000 being maritime crew members [1] Group 1 - The establishment of maritime courts in China has led to an increasing number of foreign parties choosing to file lawsuits in these courts, even when there is no actual connection to China [1] - The Supreme People's Court has emphasized the role of maritime adjudication in supporting the construction of a maritime power and maintaining the stability of international trade supply chains [1] - The Supreme People's Court has issued judicial interpretations regarding crew disputes, providing clear guidance for seafarers to protect their legal rights [2] Group 2 - Since 2013, Chinese courts have handled over 42,000 maritime livelihood cases, including labor contract disputes and personal injury compensation disputes, recovering losses amounting to 14 billion RMB [2]

Core Insights - The Fujian High Court has reported a significant increase in maritime cases, with 7,045 cases accepted and 6,184 cases concluded in 2023, involving a total amount of 11.953 billion yuan [1] - The court has implemented innovative measures to enhance maritime dispute resolution, particularly focusing on cross-strait maritime cases, thereby positioning Fujian as a preferred location for international commercial maritime dispute resolution [1][2] Maritime Case Statistics - A total of 7,045 maritime and shipping cases were accepted by the Fujian courts in 2023, with 6,184 cases resolved [1] - The total amount involved in these cases reached 11.953 billion yuan, with 102 vessels detained and 157 vessels auctioned or sold [1] Innovations in Maritime Judicial Services - The Fujian courts have developed a specialized mechanism for clarifying regulations related to Taiwan, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of judicial services for cross-strait maritime cases [1] - The establishment of the first national judicial service website for cross-strait cases and the publication of the first white paper on cross-strait maritime trials demonstrate the court's commitment to improving service quality [1] Integration with Maritime Silk Road Central Legal Zone - The Fujian courts are actively participating in the construction of the Maritime Silk Road Central Legal Zone, issuing guidelines and typical case studies to support the development of the marine economy [2] - The court's initiatives aim to promote marine economic development and cooperation, aligning with the broader goals of the Maritime Silk Road project [2]

Core Insights - A group of 16 national and provincial representatives conducted a special investigation into the innovative practices of maritime trial work in Fujian Province, focusing on Quanzhou and Xiamen [1][2] Group 1: Investigation Activities - Representatives visited the "Law Reflection of Cattail" Song and Yuan Legal Culture Exhibition Hall to learn about foreign-related judicial systems and the protection of merchant society during the Song and Yuan dynasties [1] - In Shishi City, they explored the "Coastal Fengqiao" governance model through a mediation case related to maritime accident compensation [1] - The delegation visited various judicial institutions in Xiamen, including the Xiamen Maritime Court and the Xiamen International Commercial Court, to understand the bilingual judicial services and innovative mechanisms in maritime trials [1] Group 2: Recommendations and Future Actions - Representatives provided suggestions on improving diversified resolution of foreign-related commercial disputes, enhancing the quality and efficiency of maritime trials, and increasing talent cultivation in maritime law [2] - The Fujian Provincial High Court expressed commitment to transforming the representatives' suggestions into actionable measures to support high-quality development in maritime trial work and to provide robust judicial services for the implementation of the maritime power strategy [2]