CEALS Director Cited in SCMP Article on the new PRC Foreign Relations Law
On July 1, the historic People鈥檚 Republic of China Foreign Relations Law (FRL) came into effect.听In a听听published on July 10, South China Morning Post reporter Shi Jiangtao discusses the FRL and cites Center Director Keith Hand鈥檚 analysis of the new law. 听The FRL is the latest step in two related efforts: 听a general legalization of national security, military, and foreign affairs that began in听the听mid 2000s and accelerated听under current CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping; and a more recent, focused effort to expand China鈥檚 domestic legal toolkit for foreign affairs to counter U.S. legal听capacity听and defend China’s听sovereignty听and听development听interests. 听It clarifies听the听functions and powers of state and Party听entities听involved in foreign affairs, sets out general principles and guiding ideology for foreign relations, summarizes core elements of Chinese听foreign policy, confirms the Party鈥檚 leadership over foreign affairs work, and authorizes countermeasures when foreign actions encroach on China鈥檚 sovereignty or development interests.听听For more research and analysis on China鈥檚 effort to develop domestic law as a tool of international struggle, see听Director Hand鈥檚 recent policy report 鈥溾