Enforcement

Generally yes. China is a party to the New York Convention, and awards from member states are enforceable subject to the limited grounds for refusal set out in the Convention. In practice, success depends far more on locating assets and choosing the right court than on the legal standard, so preparation before filing matters most.

Through the court's own asset inquiry systems and through independent investigation. Chinese enforcement courts can query real property, vehicles, bank accounts, equity interests and securities directly. Where those records are incomplete or assets have been moved, we carry out separate investigation — including into related-party transfers and receivables — before deciding where to enforce.

A court must generally complete its investigation and take enforcement action within six months of accepting a case, and cases with no assets to seize can be closed on that timetable. Where assets are found, the pace depends on how quickly they can be frozen, valued and disposed of, and whether the debtor raises objections.

This is where timing and coordination matter most. Assets that have left China require enforcement in the jurisdiction where they now sit, which means instructing local counsel and often seeking recognition of the Chinese judgment or award there. Evidence gathered in the Chinese proceedings frequently determines whether those applications succeed.