Politics1 min read

China passes cross-border corruption law, expanding anti-graft drive

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In short

First drafted in August 2025, the newly adopted anti-graft law was revised this month to expand its jurisdictional reach and foster international cooperation. Top anti-corruption official Li Xi underscored the framework's necessity for bolstering cross-border enforcement, tracking down overseas fugitives, and recovering illicit assets. The measure also obligates Chinese firms operating globally to build internal compliance programs tailored to their risk levels and operational scale. In addition, enforcement personnel must strictly protect personal data, commercial secrets, and state secrets collected during cross-border inquiries.

Key points

  • Chinese enterprises conducting international operations must now implement internal anti-…: Chinese enterprises conducting international operations must now implement internal anti-corruption programs proportionate to their operational risks and scale.
  • The statutory framework aims to bolster cross-border enforcement while strictly protectin…: The statutory framework aims to bolster cross-border enforcement while strictly protecting national sovereignty and domestic security interests.
  • Revisions to the measure are designed to deepen international anti-graft cooperation and…: Revisions to the measure are designed to deepen international anti-graft cooperation and support a fairer global governance system.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The new law is aimed at deepening international cooperation on the issue and safeguarding China's sovereignty and security.

BEIJING: China has adopted a new law to combat cross-border corruption, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday (Nov 6), adding that it was aimed at deepening international cooperation on the issue and safeguarding the country's sovereignty and security.

Tackling corruption has been one of the signature themes of President Xi Jinping's leadership.

In an article run by the Communist Party's People's Daily on Thursday, top anti-corruption official Li Xi wrote that "legislation should be enacted to combat cross-border corruption, to strengthen efforts to track down fugitives, prevent flight and recover illicit assets, along with greater enforcement in cross-border corruption cases".

The legislation, a draft of which was reviewed in August 2025, was revised this month to broaden its scope, including a provision supporting the development of a fairer global anti-corruption governance system, according to Xinhua.

The revisions also tighten confidentiality requirements, requiring investigators to protect state secrets, commercial secrets and personal data obtained during probes.

They also increase corporate compliance obligations,…

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