31Received 28.08.2024. Revised 02.10.2024. Accepted 01.11.2024.
Abstract. This article explores the intersection of law and politics in China’s foreign policy, focusing on how legal frameworks are being utilized to advance the country’s international ambitions. The research emphasizes the significance of “foreign-related law” (涉外法律) and “legal governance in external relations” (涉外法治) as innovative concepts that encapsulate China’s approach to blending legal rigor with strategic policymaking. The 2023 Foreign Relations Law serves as a central case study, illustrating how China is integrating its domestic legal principles into its foreign policy framework to reinforce its global standing and protect its national interests. The law is part of a broader effort to develop a comprehensive legal system that supports China’s modernization and international objectives, particularly in the context of rising geopolitical tensions. This research highlights the escalating influence of party organs in the foreign policy process, uncovers the key features of the counter-sanction policies enshrined within the law, and probes the unique characteristics of China’s approach to international relations. The study examines how China’s leadership views law not just as a tool for domestic governance but as a means to assert its position in international affairs. Through a detailed examination of the law’s provisions, the legislative process, and the political context, the paper sheds light on China’s approach to integrating its domestic legal standards with its foreign policy goals. The interdisciplinary approach, combining legal analysis with political science insights, highlights the complexity of China’s legal-political integration and its implications for global governance. The findings suggest that China’s legal diplomacy, as exemplified by this law, is a critical component of its broader strategy to reshape the international legal order in a manner that favors its interests.
Keywords: China, foreign-related law, Xi Jinping, Chinese foreign policy, security, anti-sanctions legislation, extraterritorial jurisdiction, legal sovereignty, legal political science
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