On the morning of April 24, 2024, the Urumqi International Land Port Free Trade Zone Circuit Court of the Toutunhe District People's Court in Xinjiang struck the "first hammer" and held a public hearing to hear a lease contract dispute case between a logistics company and a China Europe company.
After the case was heard, both parties expressed their intention to mediate, but it was difficult to reach a consensus at the moment. The presiding judge communicated with both parties multiple times and formulated a feasible mediation plan based on the case. After efforts, both parties finally shook hands and made peace.
Recently, the reporter learned from an interview with a court in Xinjiang that the People's Court of Toutunhe District, relying on its geographical advantages, is fully committed to safeguarding the construction of Urumqi International Land Port Zone, Comprehensive Bonded Zone, and Pilot Free Trade Zone.
In May 2022, the court established a "Green Channel for Foreign Dispute Cases+Judge Studio" in Urumqi International Land Port Area, actively providing legal services for foreign-related enterprise related cases.
After the implementation of the Xinjiang Free Trade Zone plan in November 2023, the court established the Toutunhe District People's Court Free Trade Pilot Zone Circuit Court that year.
The establishment of the circuit court is a useful exploration for the Court to actively integrate into the "the Belt and Road" initiative, an important measure to meet the new needs, new challenges and new development of the construction of economic development functional blocks in Urumqi, China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and an important platform for judicial services to guarantee the construction of economic development functional blocks in Urumqi, the Free Trade Zone.
Zhang Lihua, President of the Court's Case Filing Division (Litigation Service Center), introduced that the Circuit Court concentrated on the first instance civil and commercial cases involving investment, finance, trade, etc. within the functional block of Urumqi Economic Development Zone of Xinjiang Free Trade Zone, as well as the first instance civil and commercial cases involving foreign affairs, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan with the amount of litigation subject less than 20 million. Since its establishment, it has accepted 35 civil and commercial cases, concluded 27, including 24 cases settled through mediation, and 1 foreign-related dispute.
Next, the People's Court of Toutunhe District will continuously improve the trial work mechanism, timely and efficiently handle cases, resolve disputes involving enterprises, maintain a fair competition market environment, and provide efficient and high-quality judicial services and guarantees for building a first-class free trade pilot zone in Xinjiang.
