The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress promulgated on October 26, 2018 the Law of the People's Republic of China on International Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters (the "Law"). This is a landmark legislation because China, like most other countries, treats criminal investigation and prosecution as an extension of sovereignty and any assistance therefor has been rendered pursuant to bilateral treaties of judicial assistance. The reality is that, as of today, there exist a limited number of treaties between China and foreign countries, and yet the needs for judicial assistance in criminal matters are far greater than the geography covered by the existing treaties. This Law is a timely legislation to close the gap.
