Editor's Note: Advancing Chinese modernization requires the efficient development and utilization of marine resources, fostering high-quality development of the marine economy, and forging a path toward maritime strength with Chinese characteristics. Maritime justice constitutes an essential component of the national maritime strategy and provides an important safeguard for building a strong maritime country. The Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan emphasizes the need to "improve the mechanism for safeguarding maritime rights and interests and strengthen the capacity for maritime law enforcement and maritime judiciary," providing clear direction for the high-quality development of maritime adjudication in the new era. On March 29, 2026, Issue No. 11 of Democracy and Legal System weekly published a series of articles themed Promoting High-Quality Development of Maritime Adjudication, highlighting innovative practices by maritime courts in supporting the shipping industry, protecting the marine environment, resolving foreign-related disputes, safeguarding seafarers' rights and interests, and facilitating the development of new quality productive forces in the marine sector. The report provides in-depth coverage of initiatives undertaken by the maritime courts in Guangzhou, Qingdao, Ningbo, and Nanjing to advance high-quality maritime adjudication. Among them, the article Judicial Safeguards for the Development of New Quality Productive Forces in the Marine Sector examines how the Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC), aligned with the Maritime Power Strategy and the development of New Maritime Guangdong, has promoted the modernization of maritime adjudication and strengthened judicial capacity. It highlights GZMC's efforts to provide legal certainty for emerging industries, enhance international credibility to reinforce the competitiveness of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), stimulate new drivers of marine economic growth through institutional innovation, and consolidate the foundation for sustainable development through ecological protection. The article presents a compelling account of GZMC's endeavors to build new strengths and achieve fresh progress in maritime adjudication.   GZMC: Judicial Safeguards for the Development of New Quality Productive Forces in the Marine Sector   >>Under clear blue skies, giant ships move through Nansha Port with rows of towering cranes. Maritime judiciary provides a strong rule-of-law foundation for the continued vitality of this busy international shipping hub. Credit: Interviewed organization.   As tides surge along the Pearl River, ships set sail in ever-growing numbers. In February, the Guangdong Provincial High-Quality Development Conference was held in Guangzhou, sounding a clear call to accelerate progress. In implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important directives on promoting high-quality development of the marine economy, Guangdong has set the goal of building a strong maritime province and accelerating the development of New Maritime Guangdong. The province has emphasized the important role of GZMC in strengthening maritime legal services and providing effective legal support for marine industries. One hundred kilometers south, the Nansha Port is a scene of constant activity, with massive ships navigating busy shipping lanes and cranes operating around the clock. Two hundred kilometers west, in the waters off Yangjiang, offshore wind turbines rising more than 100 meters above sea level rotate steadily, delivering a continuous supply of clean energy to the mainland. In this region, one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China, the marine economy is emerging as a key engine of high-quality development. The smooth functioning of this engine relies on the stability and predictability provided by the rule of law. Over the past year, GZMC accepted 6,106 cases, representing a year-on-year increase of 50.84%, while the appeal rate declined by 20 percentage points. Behind these figures lies the court's ongoing effort to support the transformation and upgrading of the marine economy and promote high-quality development. From clarifying the legal status of deep-sea aquaculture platforms to facilitating coordinated dispute resolution in offshore wind power incidents; from advancing rule alignment within the GBA to exploring innovative approaches to marine ecological restoration; from international cargo ships voluntarily selecting Chinese courts to resolve disputes to establishing adjudication rules for cross-border e-commerce logistics disputes—the rule of law is increasingly becoming a defining feature of development along the South China Sea. Providing Legal Certainty for Emerging Industries Deep-sea aquaculture represents a new frontier in Guangdong's marine economy. An intelligent deep-sea aquaculture platform known as the "Bay Area XX" encountered an accident during its towing voyage from Dalian to Zhuhai. Although the platform itself lacked independent navigational capability, the incident gave rise to a series of disputes concerning salvage, towing, and installation contracts, bringing Zheng XX Company and Zhuhai Heng XX Company before the court. A central legal issue arose: should a deep-sea aquaculture platform be regarded as a ship? If classified as a ship, the special provisions governing ships under the Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China would apply; otherwise, the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China would apply. The classification has significant implications for defining rights and liabilities across the trillion-RMB marine ranching sector. After trial, GZMC held that the "Bay Area XX" platform did not possess navigational capability and therefore did not constitute a ship under Article 3 of the Maritime Code. However, as property not permanently or intentionally attached to the coastline, salvage services provided in relation to the platform fell within the scope of maritime salvage under the Maritime Code. The court accordingly ruled that Zhuhai Heng XX Company and its parent company should bear joint liability for salvage expenses, emergency towing fees, installation costs, and liquidated damages. "This judgment provides much-needed certainty for the industry," noted an executive from a marine ranching enterprise. On February 27, 2026, the Supreme People's Court selected the case as one of seven typical cases demonstrating judicial support for high-quality development of the marine economy. "In the past, investors in aquaculture platforms were most concerned about unclear legal status and uncertain allocation of liability in the event of accidents. With clearer rules now in place, investment confidence has been significantly bolstered," the executive commented. This case represents only one example of GZMC's broader efforts to support the development of new quality productive forces in the marine sector. As Guangdong's marine economy continues to expand, emerging industries such as offshore wind power, marine ranching, and ocean engineering have brought new legal issues to the forefront. Through a series of landmark cases, GZMC has helped define clearer legal boundaries for these emerging sectors. In the SHENG PING 001 case, the court clarified the standard for reviewing the insured's duty of disclosure, establishing adjudicatory rules for disputes concerning offshore wind power insurance contracts. Across a range of cases involving new quality productive forces in the marine sector, GZMC has issued guiding cases, convened symposiums, and provided judicial recommendations to industry associations, translating adjudicatory experience into clearer and more predictable compliance standards. Cross-border e-commerce represents another important sector in the transformation and upgrading of Guangdong's foreign trade. Xie XX Company entrusted Li XX Company to transport more than 200 stethoscopes to the United States. The quotation sheet provided by Li XX Company specified a compensation standard but did not clearly draw attention to the limitation clause. After the goods arrived at a U.S. port but were not delivered as scheduled, Xie XX Company filed a claim for damages. Li XX Company argued that liability should be limited based on the compensation cap set out in the quotation sheet. GZMC held that the compensation clause was a standard term and that Li XX Company had failed to fulfill its duty to draw attention to and explain the clause. Accordingly, the clause did not form part of the contract, and the court ordered Li XX Company to compensate based on the actual value of the goods. The judgment clarifies the obligation of cross-border e-commerce logistics operators to properly notify contractual counterparties of standard terms and provides adjudicatory guidance for frequently occurring cross-border logistics disputes. In response to the growing number of cross-border e-commerce logistics disputes, GZMC has extended judicial services beyond individual cases. The court issued judicial recommendations to the Shenzhen International Freight Forwarding Association, encouraging stronger industry self-regulation and the development of diversified dispute resolution mechanisms. It also held consultations with the Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to promote dispute prevention at the source. Through a series of typical cases, the court clarified adjudication rules on issues such as the validity of liability limitation clauses in quotations and liability arising from unauthorized changes in transportation modes. From resolving individual disputes to shaping clearer rules, and from reactive adjudication to proactive judicial engagement, GZMC continues to send a clear message to the market: legal certainty provides the most reliable safeguard and the clearest framework for emerging industries to grow with confidence. Enhancing GBA Competitiveness through International Judicial Credibility >>On December 2, 2025, at the Marintec China, an exhibitor introduces the interior of a car carrier. Credit: Zhang Jiansong, Xinhua News Agency.   The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global oil transportation. At the strait, a collision occurred in June 2025 between a ship owned by an Indian company and a ship owned by a Greek company. The dispute had no direct connection to China. Traditionally, such cases would be resolved through European or American legal channels. Yet following the incident, the Indian company initiated proceedings before GZMC, applying for ship arrest and filing suit. Both parties agreed to resolve the dispute under Chinese law. "This breaks the long-standing reliance on European and American courts for resolving international shipping disputes," observed a senior maritime lawyer. A collision between foreign ships with no jurisdictional link to China, yet voluntarily submitted to Chinese jurisdiction, represents a strong endorsement of the credibility of China's maritime judiciary. Where does this growing confidence come from? It stems from consistent respect for international rules. In cases such as the salvage dispute involving the YUAN JING and the oil pollution case concerning the EURASIAN COLD 6, the court accurately applied relevant international conventions. In a dispute between a domestic shipyard and Finland's Wärtsilä concerning the sale of a generator, the court applied both the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and Singapore law, demonstrating Chinese courts' openness to and respect for international conventions and transnational legal principles. It reflects a steadfast commitment to equal protection. In one case involving foreign seafarers, eight crew members were left stranded in Guangzhou Port when their ship was unable to depart, placing them in financial hardship. Rather than waiting for formal litigation, GZMC proactively coordinated with the Guangzhou Federation of Trade Unions and local seafarers' service organizations to provide emergency assistance and essential supplies. The case demonstrated the openness, fairness, and humanity of Chinese justice and was selected as a model one-stop maritime dispute resolution case jointly released by the Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Transport. It is also supported by sustained international legal communication. Over eight consecutive years, GZMC has issued trilingual (Chinese-English-Portuguese) judicial white papers. Its English-language "The Voice of Judge" video series has reached audiences worldwide, and its judges have participated in negotiations relating to international conventions, including discussions on transport document systems under the Organization for Cooperation between Railways framework. Through the development of the foreign-related maritime adjudication brand "Maritime Justice Promotes Global Stability," China's voice on the rule of law is reaching a broader international audience. A deeper transformation is also underway. An initiative encouraging parties to agree on Chinese jurisdiction has gradually taken shape. Through engagement with industry associations and proposals to state-owned enterprises, GZMC has advocated including Chinese court jurisdiction or Chinese arbitral institutions as dispute resolution forums in standard-form contracts for shipbuilding, chartering, etc. Encouragingly, an increasing number of major central and state-owned enterprises have adopted this approach. From passive participation in foreign proceedings to proactive selection of Chinese jurisdiction, and from reliance on traditional pathways to recognition of Chinese legal rules, GZMC is strengthening the rule of law as a key element of the GBA's institutional competitiveness, attracting growing confidence from international market participants. Activating New Drivers of Marine Economic Growth through Institutional Innovation >>White wind turbines rotate steadily at the Yangjiang offshore wind farm, where the rule of law safeguards the construction and operation of this green energy hub. Credit: Interviewed organization.   Offshore wind power has become a defining feature of Guangdong's marine economy. In the waters off Shapa, Yangjiang, hundreds of wind turbines stand like a white forest across the sea. During the summer typhoon season, Typhoon Chaba struck the region. While sheltering from the storm, the offshore wind power service platform Fu XX 001 lost anchor in strong winds and heavy seas in Zhapo, Yangjiang, colliding with multiple wind turbine installations nearby before breaking apart and sinking. The incident triggered a complex series of disputes, including claims relating to hull insurance indemnity, damage to wind turbine equipment, and maritime salvage costs. Ten interrelated cases followed, with total claims amounting to RMB 1.26 billion. The Guangdong High People's Court worked closely with members of the Collegiate Bench of GZMC, traveling repeatedly between Guangzhou and Yangjiang to analyze legal relationships and clarify disputed issues on a case-by-case basis. The two levels of courts established an integrated mediation approach combining hull insurance compensation, coordinated resolution of related cases, and proportional distribution through the limitation fund for maritime claims. The courts provided detailed explanations to the parties regarding the costs, timelines, and uncertainties associated with maritime judicial appraisal, facilitating agreement on a unified methodology for loss calculation and cross-verification of damages. Where expectations regarding compensation exceeded reasonable levels, the courts issued targeted mediation recommendations, guiding the parties toward consensus on compensation within the limitation fund and proportional allocation of claims. The broader impact extended beyond the courtroom. Alongside the signing of mediation agreements, the court convened a thematic consultation involving offshore wind enterprises, insurers, and maritime lawyers to assess legal risks associated with the development of new quality productive forces in the marine sector and to formulate risk management recommendations. Ultimately, all ten cases were resolved through a comprehensive settlement, substantively resolving disputes totaling RMB 1.26 billion. With litigation risks removed, project operations resumed and turbines once again turned steadily at sea. "The handling of this series of cases highlights the complexity of legal issues arising from cross-sector development in emerging marine industries," noted Judge Xie Huicheng, who participated in the mediation. "Our task is not only to resolve individual disputes, but also to extend judicial services through industry dialogue, white papers, and judicial recommendations, thereby supporting the high-quality development of new quality productive forces in the marine sector and contributing judicial momentum to the blue economy." The case was subsequently selected by the Supreme People's Court as a typical case of judicial service supporting high-quality development of the marine economy. Another case occurred at the Lingdingyang waters. This area is located at the geometric center of the GBA and the intersection of "one country, two systems, three legal jurisdictions." Enhancing coordination among different legal systems presents a defining task for GZMC. In 2025, a dispute involving the charter of a dredging ship operating in Macao waters came before the court. Although the case had limited connection with the Chinese mainland and was more closely linked to Macao, GZMC applied the doctrine of forum non conveniens for the first time, determining that the Macao court was the more appropriate forum and transferring the case accordingly. The ruling reflects a spirit of judicial cooperation within the GBA—prioritizing efficient and effective dispute resolution rather than competing for jurisdiction. Cooperation has extended beyond individual cases. Addressing the longstanding challenge of abandoned "ghost ships" in boundary waters between Guangdong and Macao, GZMC coordinated for the first time with the Zhuhai Maritime Safety Administration and the Macao Marine and Water Bureau to facilitate the relocation and cross-jurisdictional arrest of a Hong Kong-registered ship. Through trilateral collaboration, a long-standing governance challenge was effectively resolved, contributing to the safety of navigation in the GBA. In Nansha, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Maritime Mediation Center has been established, where mediators from Hong Kong and Macao work alongside mainland judges to resolve disputes. In Qianhai, an international maritime law teaching and practice base has welcomed students from Hong Kong and Macao to observe court proceedings. In Hengqin, a "court + Hong Kong/Macao mobile fishermen association" mediation mechanism resolved a personal injury compensation dispute involving a mobile fishing ship within two hours. Building on these developments, GZMC has signed a cooperation memorandum with the Haikou Maritime Court to promote coordinated development between the GBA and the Hainan Free Trade Port. The court has also conducted research on special procedural rules for maritime litigation involving Hong Kong and Macao, exploring pathways for advancing rule alignment in maritime procedure between the mainland and the two Special Administrative Regions. Through cooperation with the Qianhai Authority and the Nansha District Government, maritime justice has been embedded into the development of key institutional platforms. From coexistence to deeper integration, a multi-level and wide-ranging framework for maritime judicial cooperation within the GBA is taking shape along the South China Sea. Consolidating the Foundation for Development through Ecological Protection Another case happened at the Hongqili Channel in the Pearl River Estuary. Earlier, a Zhongshan-based company extracted more than 80,000 cubic meters of sea sand from the Shazai waters without authorization. The procuratorate filed a civil public interest lawsuit, and after trial, GZMC ordered two liable companies to bear joint liability for more than RMB 1.85 million in compensation for ecological service value losses and related damages. After the judgment took effect, enforcement challenges emerged: neither company possessed sufficient executable assets. Ecological restoration risked being delayed indefinitely. GZMC did not stop at issuing a judgment. Through further investigation, the court found that although one of the companies lacked financial resources, it possessed the technical qualifications and operational capacity for river dredging. At the same time, restoring the damaged waters at the original site could have caused secondary ecological disruption. An innovative solution was therefore introduced, allowing restoration through labor compensation and off-site remediation. On March 12, 2025, China's National Tree Planting Day, more than 8,000 cubic meters of sediment were cleared and 1,500 trees were planted along the riverbank in Zhupai Village, Shenwan Town, Zhongshan. Representatives from GZMC, the procuratorate, and water administration authorities jointly witnessed the implementation of the off-site restoration plan. Through this process, an integrated mechanism combining judicial adjudication and enforcement, prosecutorial supervision, and administrative regulation was established. This case became the first marine environmental civil public-interest litigation case in Guangdong following the revision of the Marine Environment Protection Law to successfully achieve ecological restoration through labor compensation initiated by the procuratorate. It was subsequently selected as a typical case by the Guangdong High People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the Supreme People's Court. Similar innovations continue to emerge. At Huangpu Old Port, the court ordered compulsory restoration of the original marine environment, enabling previously degraded shoreline areas to regain clear waters and sandy beaches. In the Taiwan Shoals waters, the court piloted criminal adjudication involving red coral protection, exploring an integrated "three-in-one" adjudication mechanism for environmental and natural resource cases. Moving beyond purely monetary penalties toward meaningful restoration, and from on-site remediation to off-site ecological compensation, GZMC has developed innovative judicial approaches that give practical effect to environmental judgments and help restore the vitality of damaged marine ecosystems. Such vitality forms the essential foundation for the sustainable development of the marine economy. From ecological restoration through labor compensation in the Pearl River Estuary, to foreign ships voluntarily selecting Chinese jurisdiction in disputes arising in the Strait of Hormuz; from the comprehensive resolution of RMB 1.26 billion in disputes relating to the Fu XX 001 offshore wind platform, to the clear legal characterization of the deep-sea aquaculture platform "Bay Area XX"; from judicial clarification of the validity of limitation clauses in cross-border e-commerce quotations, to judicial recommendations guiding industry governance at the source—each step taken by GZMC demonstrates how maritime judiciary continues to inject strong rule-of-law momentum into high-quality development of the marine economy. The year 2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period and marks a critical stage for advancing high-quality development of the marine economy. With clearly defined objectives, GZMC will continue to align with the Maritime Power Strategy and the development of New Maritime Guangdong, placing the modernization of maritime adjudication at the core of its work and continuously enhancing judicial capacity. By providing legal certainty for emerging industries, strengthening international credibility to enhance GBA competitiveness, activating new drivers of marine economic growth through institutional innovation, and consolidating development foundations through ecological protection, GZMC is committed to building new strengths and achieving fresh progress in maritime adjudication. "The essence of the rule of law lies in providing clear rules and stable expectations," said Chen Youqiang, President of GZMC. "By identifying patterns from numerous cases and providing recommendations to CPC committees, government authorities and industry associations, the judiciary contributes to high-quality development. This is a key dimension of the power of the rule of law." On this dynamic maritime frontier, GZMC continues to advance with firm judicial resolve, safeguarding the development of New Maritime Guangdong as it charts a course toward new horizons of high-quality development.  

Recently, Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC), in collaboration with Shanghai Maritime Court (SHMC), successfully resolved a foreign-related dispute over a vessel sale. In this case, after GZMC initiated enforcement proceedings based on an arbitral award, the related case also entered litigation procedures at SHMC. In May 2025, the two courts coordinated efforts, resulting in an effective resolution of the dispute. In 2021, a Malaysian company paid over RMB 7 million to commission a Shenzhen resident, Yan, to purchase an engineering vessel in China. Yan's wife operated a company in Shanghai (the "Shanghai Company") primarily engaged in the sale of vessels and related equipment. In May 2021, the Shanghai Company, managed by Yan's wife, paid RMB 5.2 million to purchase an engineering vessel and related equipment from a company based in Zhuhai (the "Zhuhai Company"). However, the Zhuhai Company failed to deliver the vessel as scheduled. On June 16, 2023, the Shanghai Company filed for arbitration with the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA). On August 29, 2024, the arbitral tribunal ruled that the Zhuhai Company shall return the RMB 5.2 million. As the company did not voluntarily refund the payment, GZMC initiated compulsory enforcement proceedings. Why did the Zhuhai Company neither deliver the vessel nor return the payment? During a field investigation, Deng Min, the enforcement officer in charge at GZMC, learned that due to policy restrictions, the vessel could not be exported. The Zhuhai Company argued that the failure to deliver was not due to its own fault, and therefore it refused to issue a refund. As the Malaysian company never received the vessel after making payment, it filed a lawsuit in March 2025 with SHMC against Yan and the Shanghai Company, demanding the return of the RMB 7 million. Upon accepting the case, SHMC lawfully issued a pre-enforcement freeze on the funds under enforcement by GZMC. "Given that the enforcement funds have now been pre-frozen, if Yan continues to resist, the Malaysian company is likely to insist on recovering the entire RMB 7 million, leaving no room for compromise," said Deng Min. In response, Deng Min coordinated with judges from SHMC to mediate among the parties. They advised the Zhuhai Company and the Shanghai Company to reach a settlement while the Malaysian company was still open to partial recovery, aiming to resolve the matter swiftly. After multiple rounds of negotiation led by the enforcement officer, the parties reached an enforcement agreement: the Zhuhai Company would return part of the payment to the Malaysian company, and in return, the Malaysian company would withdraw its lawsuit against Yan and the Shanghai Company. The dispute was ultimately resolved successfully. "Enforcement cases are often complex. Only by fully understanding the background and identifying the needs of all parties can we tailor the right solution," Deng Min remarked.

On July 1, 2025, Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) held a series of commemorative events marking the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Judges and staff gathered to commend outstanding individuals and groups, inspire the continuation of the red revolutionary legacy, carry forward the Court's fine judicial traditions, and galvanize collective strength for the high-quality development of maritime justice. Honoring Excellence: The Power of Role Models The commendation ceremony opened with the resounding strains of the national anthem. First, the Court presented the "50 Years of Glorious CPC Membership" commemorative medals to veteran CPC members Liu Ruixiang and Zheng Guangsheng, who have dedicated their lives to the CPC and the development of GZMC. A number of outstanding groups and individuals were then recognized for their exceptional performance in Party building and professional work. Notably, in the 2025 evaluation of exemplary organizations and individuals among Guangdong provincial-level government authorities, Xu Chunlong, Secretary of the Party Branch of GZMC Zhuhai Division, was named an "Outstanding Party Affairs Worker." The Party Branch of the Maritime Administrative Division was honored as an "Advanced Primary-Level Party Organization," and the Party Branch of the Enforcement Bureau was included on the second list of "Four-Strong" Party Branches by the provincial authorities. Additionally, 28 CPC members were commended for earning top marks in the 2024 internal Party evaluations. Strengthening Consensus: Ideological Foundation for Navigating Forward Following the commendation ceremony, the Court convened a study session on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the central Party leadership's Eight-Point Decision on improving work conduct, along with a mid-year work review on Party building and ideological work by the Party branches. The meeting included a focused study of the Provisions on Addressing Formalism to Reduce Burdens on Grassroots Organizations, and examined a typical case involving falsified statistics and deteriorating political environment in Qujing City, Yunnan Province. In-depth discussions were held on the implementation of the Eight-Point Decision and related education efforts. Seven Party branches, including the Office, the Case Filing Division, the Judicial Supervision Division, the Maritime Division, the Maritime Commercial Division, the Maritime Administrative Division, the Enforcement Bureau, and the Shenzhen Division, delivered reports on their Party building and ideological work during the first half of the year. The meeting emphasized the need to prioritize political development, fulfill Party governance responsibilities, enforce the Eight-Point Decision, and strictly implement the ideological work responsibility system, promoting deeper integration between Party building and judicial operations. This series of activities in celebration of July 1st served not only as a heartfelt tribute and solemn salute but also as a profound call to action. The passion for the Party and the nation kindled by these events will be transformed into powerful motivation to serve the overall interests and deliver justice for the people. Guided by the example of those honored, all personnel at GZMC will move forward with renewed determination and pragmatic spirit, dedicating themselves to the maritime judiciary in the new era and contributing solid judicial support to advancing Chinese modernization.

On June 3, 2025, the Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) issued its 2024 Annual Report on Maritime Trials, a comprehensive white paper detailing the Court's commitment to implementing Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. Themed "Justice and Efficiency," the report underscores GZMC's diligent execution of its maritime judicial responsibilities and highlights innovative measures to support China's maritime power strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the establishment of a "New Maritime Guangdong." This marks the ninth consecutive year the white paper has been published in Chinese, English, and Portuguese. In 2024, GZMC received 3,546 new cases, a 2.53% decrease from the previous year, and resolved 3,651 cases, achieving a resolution rate of 90.19%. Appeals totaled 765, down 14.24% year-on-year, with a retrial application rate of 0.499%, surpassing the provincial average. The Court enforced judgments amounting to RMB 573 million, with a 13.08% increase in enforcement completion compared to the prior year. By enhancing its integrated mechanism of "pre-litigation mediation + judicial confirmation + enforcement," the Court successfully mediated 555 cases, including 369 resolved before litigation, significantly reducing the burden on involved parties. With a focus on emerging industries such as offshore wind power, marine ranching, and port construction, GZMC addressed new legal challenges by prudently resolving 69 related disputes. Notably, it adjudicated cases involving the "Bay Area Hengzhou", an intelligent deep-sea aquaculture platform, advancing marine ranching initiatives. Additionally, the Court efficiently handled disputes over the detention of tower equipment for offshore wind farms, ensuring the progress of key provincial projects and fostering offshore new quality productive forces. To strengthen collaboration between administrative and judicial bodies, GZMC issued judicial recommendations to maritime authorities in a bid to promote cooperative governance and development. It also resolved cases involving sea area usage for deep-sea aquaculture in Suixi County. These efforts have supported lawful maritime administration, contributed to broader maritime governance, and advanced marine ecological civilization. The white paper addresses critical legal issues, including seafarers' injury rights, multimodal transport, maritime administrative adjudication, cross-border e-commerce logistics disputes, port construction regulations, and enforcement procedures. It provides targeted countermeasures and policy recommendations to address these challenges effectively.

The Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) recently mediated a dispute over liability for damages arising from a collision between two foreign vessels, earning rare praise from both the plaintiff and defendant. In an unusual gesture, the parties jointly sent their lawyers from Nanjing and Shanghai to present a banner of appreciation to the court. The incident occurred on April 21, 2024, at Phase III of Guangzhou's Nansha Port, where the Panamanian-flagged DE XIN SHANG HAI collided with the Sierra Leone-flagged Vladivostok during berthing operations. The collision caused significant damage to both vessels and the loss of some containers from Vladivostok into the sea. In September 2024, the owner of Vladivostok applied to GZMC's Case Registration Division for the pre-litigation arrest of DE XIN SHANG HAI, backed by a counter-guarantee. After careful review, the court approved the arrest and referred enforcement to the Execution Bureau. In October, DE XIN SHANG HAI was released after its owner posted a RMB 21 million security bond. With guarantees in place from both parties, the case moved to the Maritime Administrative Division for formal proceedings. By late November, pre-litigation mediation began but faced challenges. At first, significant gaps remained between the parties due to undetermined losses for certain items and complications from international sanctions. When mediation stalled in February 2025, the case proceeded to litigation. The adjudication team noted that both parties were incurring significant interest costs on their vessel guarantees and encouraged settlement to reduce financial losses. On March 21, 2025, during the evidence exchange phase, the trial team reconvened mediation. Despite an initial willingness to settle, negotiations faltered due to issues such as unconfirmed input from a foreign P&I club, a sanctioned surveyor's inability to issue an appraisal report, and disputes over cargo damage liability limits. Undeterred by all these complex challenges, the trial team provided clear legal guidance, explaining maritime liability limitation rules and conditions for shipowner reimbursement after compensating cargo owners. Their persistence paid off. On April 27, the parties reached an online settlement agreement for RMB 10.19 million in compensation. On May 19, Vladivostok's owner received the payment, which marked the full resolution of the dispute. This successful mediation highlights GZMC's judicial expertise in applying the "Fengqiao Model" to modern maritime disputes, ensuring equitable protection for both domestic and foreign parties and showcasing a Chinese approach to resolving international maritime conflicts.

"We're about to run out of food and water." On a foreign cargo ship detained in the waters off Nansha, Guangzhou, a Burmese crew member who spoke fluent Chinese clasped his hands together in gratitude. His eyes welled with emotion as he said, "We are truly grateful for the emergency supplies you brought us!"  Recently, the Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC), in coordination with the Guangzhou Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and the Guangzhou Huangpu International Seamen's Club (GHISC), and with the full support of the Shajiao Office of the Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration, successfully delivered more than 1,000 pounds and over 300 packages of emergency relief supplies to the Togolese-flagged general cargo vessel RAMBLER STAR. The operation effectively alleviated a critical shortage of food and drinking water faced by the ship's eight crew members. The story traces back to a dramatic incident in December 2024. At that time, the RAMBLER STAR suffered a sudden total power outage and lost control while navigating the channel. Misfortune followed swiftly. The drifting vessel collided violently with the Liberian-flagged container ship CA NAGOYA near the entrance to a divided channel, causing a severe breach on the portside bow.  A salvage company launched immediate emergency operations, and the associated costs led to subsequent legal disputes. In January 2025, GZMC, acting upon the salvage company's application, lawfully detained the RAMBLER STAR near Guishan Island.  On April 11, in response to a strong wind warning in the Pearl River Estuary and to safeguard the safety of the vessel and its crew, the RAMBLER STAR was relocated to a temporary anchorage near Tianhou Temple in Nansha. However, a far more urgent crisis was just beginning. The vessel carried eight crew members—seven from Myanmar and one from Indonesia—who were abruptly cut off from vital supplies by the shipowner. Upon learning of the situation, GZMC immediately boarded the vessel for inspection and was met with a distressing sight: the refrigerator stood empty, with only two days' worth of food and four days of drinking water remaining. The crew had been surviving on just two meals a day, relying on collected rainwater for drinking.  Matters were further complicated by the rapidly approaching May Day holiday, less than 36 hours away. The short window significantly increased the logistical difficulty of transporting supplies and mobilizing personnel.  Thus began a race against time for a cross-border humanitarian mission. The court acted swiftly, reaching out to multiple parties for support. After tireless coordination, GFTU agreed to provide emergency relief, rekindling hope for the stranded crew. But delivering aid to a detained foreign vessel presented significant challenges: coordinating transport ships, securing boarding permits, and clearing supply inspections—all under immense time pressure.  Every second counted. GZMC staff worked through the night, collaborating closely with maritime authorities, border inspection, and customs agencies to establish an emergency "green channel" for expedited delivery. On the afternoon of April 30, Nansha Port became the launching point for a mission of vital importance. GHISC first transported the supplies to Phase I of the Nansha Container Terminal. There, a temporary logistics team composed of staff from GZMC and GFTU carefully loaded the materials onto a maritime patrol vessel. One hour later, the vessel approached the RAMBLER STAR, where the crew emerged from their cabins, waving excitedly. Upon receiving the supplies, smiles spread across their faces as they expressed heartfelt gratitude with enthusiastic thumbs-ups.  This heartwarming international relief effort not only resolved the crew's urgent needs but also demonstrated the compassion and commitment of China's judicial system.

Recently, the Guangzhou Maritime Court successfully encouraged a foreign judgment debtor, who had been residing in Canada for an extended period, to voluntarily comply with all obligations as determined by a final judgment through the legal enforcement of exit control measures. This action underscores the authority and effectiveness of China's judicial system, serving as a model for enforcing foreign-related cases. Overcoming Technical Obstacles Legally Obtaining Key Information This case involved a dispute over a time charter party, and the judgment became effective on December 17, 2019. As the judgment debtor, Lin, became a Canadian citizen in 2012, the enforcement of the case was concluded in September 2020. Subsequently, the applicant for enforcement filed a request with the court to resume enforcement and to impose exit control measures on Lin. To uphold judicial authority, the court reopened the case on May 27, 2024. After deliberation by the collegiate bench, the court decided to impose exit control measures on Lin. Initially, the enforcement was hindered due to the applicant for enforcement being able to provide only a casual photograph of the judgment debtor, which did not meet the exit and entry management authority's requirement for a passport-style photo for foreign nationals. Since the judgment debtor's place of origin was Zhanjiang, Guangdong, the case handler, Wu Nianfeng, guided the lawyer of the applicant for enforcement to apply for a lawyer's investigation order to the court, requesting the Zhanjiang Public Security Bureau to provide the judgment debtor's passport photo from the judgment debtor's household registration file. With police cooperation, a clear electronic passport photo was obtained, and thus the technical barrier to implementing exit control measures was removed. Implementing Exit Control Measures Prompting Voluntary Compliance from the Judgment Debtor When the evidence was complete, the court legally submitted the exit control application to the Guangdong High People's Court. On the morning of February 1, 2025, at approximately 6 a.m., Wu Nianfeng, the case handler, received an urgent notification from the exit-entry management agency at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan Province, confirming that the judgment debtor, Lin, had entered China. Wu immediately reported to the court leadership and the collegiate bench. Per relevant instructions, Wu urgently made a contingency plan to ensure that subsequent enforcement measures were efficiently coordinated under the law. On February 26, 2025, Lin, who had completed a family visit, was intercepted by the local exit-entry management agency at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport while preparing to leave the country. Under the deterrent effect of the exit control measures, Lin immediately contacted the court and clearly expressed his intention to comply with his obligations. Strategic Enforcement Measures Judicial Authority Breaks the Stalemate During the initial mediation, Lin repeatedly stalled compliance, citing "financial difficulties" and even claimed that "if the applicant for enforcement does not make concessions, I will simply allow my visa to expire and wait for the Chinese government to forcibly expel me." In response to such pressure tactics, Wu Nianfeng, based on the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, and the Interpretation of the Supreme People's Court on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Criminal Cases of Refusing to Enforce Judgments and Rulings, clarified three legal positions to Lin. First, the court has the authority to impose exit control measures on a judgment debtor who fails to fulfill the obligations outlined in a legally effective document, regardless of their visa status. Second, the expiration of a foreign national's visa in China constitutes illegal residence, which may result in administrative penalties such as warnings, fines, or detention. Third, if Lin deliberately resists enforcement by allowing his visa to expire, he could be criminally prosecuted under the charge of "refusing to enforce judgments and rulings." Through a layered legal explanation, Lin eventually abandoned his bargaining strategy and returned to a rational negotiation path. Due to the applicant for enforcement being located in Jiangmen, Guangdong, and the respondent being stranded in Chengdu, Sichuan, Wu Nianfeng established a WeChat mediation group to facilitate negotiations, based on the Online Litigation Rules of the People's Courts. After multiple rounds of online discussions, both parties reached an enforcement settlement agreement, under which Lin would make a one-time payment of RMB 500,000 on March 4 to fulfill his obligations. The settlement agreement became effective upon confirmation by both parties. Strict Control of Enforcement Risks Second Interception Demonstrates Judicial Rigor On the evening before the agreed payment date, at approximately 8 p.m., Lin attempted to leave the country from Haikou Meilan International Airport in Hainan Province. He was again intercepted by the local exit-entry management agency. Upon learning this information, Wu Nianfeng issued a stern warning to Lin and reiterated the consequences of refusing to fulfill his legal obligations. Under the continued restriction of the exit control measures, Lin made a full payment of RMB 500,000 the following day. The applicant for enforcement then submitted a request to the court to lift the exit control measures. After confirming the payment was made, Wu Nianfeng promptly prepared the legal documents to lift the exit control measures and submitted them for review by the Guangdong High People's Court. On March 6, 2025, after the exit control measures were lifted, Lin departed for Canada. Afterward, Lin personally called the case handler to express his recognition of China's judicial authorities for their "balanced approach of firmness and flexibility" in enforcement and thanked the court for safeguarding his legal rights while upholding judicial authority. Key Significance Strengthening Foreign-related Enforcement and Optimizing the Rule-based Business Environment This case is a vivid example of the Guangzhou Maritime Court's use of exit control measures to overcome the challenges in foreign-related enforcement. By precisely implementing compulsory measures and flexibly adopting an online mediation mechanism, the court not only upheld the binding force of China's judicial rulings but also demonstrated the standardization and efficiency of the enforcement process. This provides robust judicial protection for the creation of a market-oriented, law-based business environment up to international standards. A relevant official from the Enforcement Bureau stated that they would further improve the cooperative mechanism for the enforcement of foreign-related cases to ensure equal protection of the legitimate rights of both Chinese and foreign parties and boost high-level opening-up of China.

Editor's Note: Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) has thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, Xi Jinping Thought on Rule of Law, and the guiding principles from the key speeches of General Secretary Xi Jinping on "strictly protecting the marine ecological environment, establishing and improving a regional coordinated mechanism for ecosystem protection, restoration, and pollution management based on land-sea planning." It has explored the "Court Judgment + Prosecutorial Supervision + Administrative Regulation" ecological restoration mechanism in line with the specific requirements of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee's "1310" Strategy and the President of the Guangdong High People's Court, Zhang Haibo, to "strive to create a Guangdong-style brand for marine ecological environment and natural resource protection." This mechanism was adopted in the first case following the enactment of the Measures for the Transfer of Ecological Environmental Damage Restoration to Government Authorities for Supervision, yielding positive results. Recently, Southern Daily published an in-depth report on this. In March, the serene and vibrant scene of Zhubai Village, Shenwan Town, Zhongshan City, came to life. The sound of dredging machinery echoed as the newly planted dawn redwood trees on the dike began to sprout, while flocks of egrets circled above, symbolizing the thriving vitality of a beautiful rural landscape. "The village appearance has improved, and the clear waterways have enhanced the flood control and water storage capacity, making aquaculture farmers very happy," said Li Yuanda, the First Secretary of Zhubai Village, pointing to a row of newly planted dawn redwood trees along the dike. This transformation is the result of Guangdong's first-ever marine environmental civil public-interest lawsuit executed through the "Labor Compensation + Remote Restoration" approach. Ecological Loss Compensation Execution Dilemma? A New Solution Proposed In September 2021, a construction materials company in Zhongshan City engaged a local earth-moving and excavation engineering company to illegally extract over 80,000 cubic meters of sand from the "Sha Zai" sandbar in the Hongqili Waterway at the mouth of the Pearl River. The Zhongshan Marine Comprehensive Law Enforcement Team discovered the illegal activities and imposed administrative penalties on the two companies. The Zhongshan People's Procuratorate filed a civil marine public-interest lawsuit against the defendants, and GZMC ruled that the two defendants were jointly liable for compensating the ecological damage with over RMB 1.85 million and issuing an apology. On February 24, 2025, the two defendants published a public apology in the media. However, due to mismanagement of business operations, they had no assets available for enforcement, and the execution of the RMB 1.85 million ecological damage compensation required a breakthrough. When environmental public-interest litigation faces enforcement difficulties, lack of supervision, or other issues, it becomes hard for the final judgment to fully realize its legal and social benefits. The execution of this case was impeded. In response, the legal representative of the engineering company, Li, voluntarily stated that the company had the capability and qualifications for river dredging and was willing to provide labor services as compensation for the monetary damages. Compensating through labor services in place of financial payment represents an innovative legal breakthrough. Zhang Le, a judge at the Enforcement Bureau of GZMC, explained, "Although the defendant lacks executable assets, their genuine remorse and willingness to provide labor services as compensation demonstrate that that ecological compensation aims to restore the damaged environment, not to punish for punishment's sake." After visiting and investigating the involved water area, the judge found that the "Sha Zai" sandbar had undergone natural ecological recovery and was stabilizing, meaning that further restoration was unnecessary. In fact, forced restoration could lead to secondary ecological damage. GZMC adopted the suggestion of the people's jurors for "remote restoration" during execution. The court proactively engaged with the Zhongshan People's Procuratorate, and after an assessment, it was decided that river dredging and tree planting along the riverbanks in Zhubai Village, Shenwan Town, would be carried out using the "Labor Compensation + Remote Restoration" approach, replacing the original property-based enforcement with an "evaluation and price offset" method. Closed Loop of "Court Judgment + Prosecutorial Supervision + Administrative Regulation" Zhubai Village in Shenwan Town is an agricultural village, where most residents are engaged in the farming of sea bass, white shrimp, and mudworms. The local irrigation canals, long undredged, and dikes lacking soil and water conservation measures, pose a significant risk to the aquaculture industry. "We signed a remote restoration plan with the two defendant companies, confirming that 70% of the ecological damage compensation costs would be borne by the construction materials company, while the engineering company would bear 30% and compensate through dredging and landscaping work. The project is estimated to dredge more than 8,000 cubic meters of the river channel and plant 1,500 trees along the riverbank in Zhubai Village, with the total cost estimated at over RMB 560,000," said Zhang Le. On August 15 last year, the Guangdong High People's Court, in conjunction with the Guangdong People's Procuratorate and eight other agencies, issued the Measures of Guangdong Province for the Transfer of Ecological Environmental Damage Restoration to Government Authorities for Supervision (hereinafter the "Measures"), which detailed specific rules for transferring ecological restoration supervision. In accordance with the Measures, GZMC transferred the restoration supervision to the Zhongshan Water Affairs Bureau, with the prosecuting authority overseeing the entire process, thus forming a closed loop of "Court Judgment + Prosecutorial Supervision + Administrative Regulation." Zhang Le explained that the Zhongshan Water Affairs Bureau supervised the restoration process from a technical perspective, ensuring that the tasks, completion deadlines, and acceptance criteria were met and that the restoration outcomes complied with ecological standards. This helped address the addressing the technical limitations of judicial institutions. The river dredging and re-greening work has brought tangible environmental improvements and practical benefits to Zhubai Village. Li, the legal representative of the engineering company, stated that compensating through labor services instead of financial payment has alleviated their financial burden and ensured effective ecological restoration. "We will enhance future remediation efforts, operate strictly within the law, and prioritize protecting the ecological environment." This case is the first of its kind in Guangdong Province following the implementation of the Measures, where a court has transferred ecological environment damage restoration to government authorities for supervision and prosecutorial oversight. It is also the first marine environmental civil public-interest lawsuit filed by the Guangdong Procuratorate after the revision of the Marine Environmental Protection Law. Chen Mingqiang, the Presiding Judge of the Maritime Administrative Tribunal of GZMC, said, "Through the government-court linkage mechanism, we have achieved 'one case closed, one area governed,' providing a replicable and scalable practice model to address the difficulties in enforcing environmental and ecological cases."

On January 3, 2025, the Party Branch of the Maritime Administrative Tribunal of Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) and the Party Branch of the Public Interest Litigation Department (Fifth Procuratorial Department) of Zhongshan People's Procuratorate jointly held a themed Party Day event titled "Safeguarding the Blue Ocean." This initiative aimed to promote marine ecological civilization through Party-building leadership. Chen Youqiang, Party Secretary and President of GZMC, met with relevant officials from Zhongshan People's Procuratorate. During the meeting, both sides reviewed and summarized the handling of the public interest civil litigation case initiated by Zhongshan People's Procuratorate against two companies regarding marine environment. This case was the first public interest civil lawsuit regarding marine environment filed by a municipal-level procuratorate after the revised Marine Environmental Protection Law came into effect. By leveraging an information-sharing mechanism, piloting a "three-in-one" adjudication model, utilizing expert resources, and applying the advantages of a specialized maritime court for cross-regional trials, the agency effectively addressed challenges such as difficulties in case initiation, adjudication, appraisal, and accountability in public interest litigation regarding marine environment. This case serves as a practical exploration toward improving the system of public interest litigation regarding marine environment. Both sides also jointly studied the Measures of Guangdong Province for the Transfer of Ecological Environmental Damage Restoration to Government Authorities for Supervision (Provisional), issued by the High People's Court of Guangdong Province in collaboration with the People's Procuratorate of Guangdong Province and eight other agencies. Their discussions were focused on enhancing judicial-execution coordination, covering labor compensation, off-site restoration, and carbon fee compensation. Additionally, both sides witnessed the oath-taking ceremony of probationary Party members from the Maritime Administrative Tribunal. President Chen Youqiang emphasized that conducting themed Party Day activities through Party Branch co-learning and joint initiatives between the judicial and procuratorial agencies, along with discussions on optimizing the working mechanism for public interest litigation regarding marine environment, is a concrete step in implementing the guiding principles from the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee's directives on improving the public interest litigation system. He highlighted the innovative format and positive outcomes of this approach, stressing its necessity. He further noted that exploring a comprehensive system of public interest litigation regarding marine environment and establishing a replicable and scalable working mechanism is of significant importance to the construction of a Beautiful China and marine ecological civilization. President Chen called for stronger coordination between judicial and procuratorial agencies to fully leverage their respective functions, legally protect marine natural resources and ecological environment, and provide high-quality judicial and prosecutorial services for the "Maritime Power", "Beautiful GBA", and "Green, Beautiful Guangdong" initiatives. The goal is to establish a distinctive Guangdong brand of public interest litigation regarding marine environment and achieve the effect of "handling one case, influencing an entire region." This themed Party Day event exemplified how judicial and procuratorial agencies use Party-building to strengthen institutional development and enhance operations, while fostering a regular communication and coordination mechanism for marine environmental protection. It has inspired the Party branches of the judicial and procuratorial agencies to enhance their strengths in political functions, leadership, Party members and roles, strengthen Party discipline, improve judicial capabilities, and fulfill their responsibilities and missions. These efforts will provide strong judicial and prosecutorial support for Guangdong's pursuit of Chinese modernization. Wu Guining, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice President of GZMC, and Ye Hong, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Chief Procurator of Zhongshan People's Procuratorate, attended the event. They jointly signed the Opinions on Strengthening Cooperation in Public Interest Litigation Regarding Marine Natural Resources and Ecological Environment Protection.

On January 9, 2025, the Qianhai Circuit Court, Shenzhen under the Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) held a hearing for a carriage of goods by sea contract dispute involving residents of Hong Kong SAR and companies from the United States, Vietnam, and Germany. This marked the official opening of the Qianhai Circuit Court. Shenzhen, a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and a crucial hub for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, plays a vital role in the historical mission of building a Pilot Demonstration Area of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and becoming a global maritime center city. Qianhai is accelerating efforts to develop into a high-end maritime service center, with a focus on industries such as finance, modern logistics, information services, and technological and cultural innovation. These strategic and emerging industries are closely linked to foreign trade and maritime transportation, and the region is seeing a surge in new quality productive forces, foreign and maritime business elements, and a wealth of legal resources. To support national development strategies and inject new momentum into the development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, GZMC has established the Qianhai Circuit Court, aimed at fostering a legal cluster effect. This initiative was made possible with support from the Authority of Qianhai. The said case involves multiple countries and regions. The leadership of GZMC placed great importance on its hearing, with Deputy President and Party Committee Member Wu Guining serving as the presiding judge. He was joined by Judges Yang Yaxiao and Li Chunyu from the GZMC Shenzhen Division to form the collegiate bench. The Law School of Shenzhen University organized students to attend the hearing as part of their practical training. The proceedings were well-organized, clear, and progressed smoothly. The judicial team demonstrated exceptional professional competence and courtroom management skills, offering the students a rich educational experience in legal practice. The Qianhai Circuit Court represents a practical initiative by GZMC to support the development of four cooperation zones: Hengqin, Qianhai, Nansha, and Hetao. Located in Qianhai, the court aims to extend its reach outside the area, providing efficient, convenient maritime adjudication services to ports, enterprises, and local communities. It supports the building of an international and market-oriented business environment based on the rule of law in Qianhai and contributes to establishing the GBA as a preferred destination for international maritime dispute resolution.