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| 中华人民共和国外国国家豁免法 （2023年9月1日第十四届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第五次会议通过） | Foreign State Immunity Law of the People’s Republic of China (Adopted at the 5th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress on September 1, 2023) |
| 第一条 为了健全外国国家豁免制度，明确中华人民共和国的法院对涉及外国国家及其财产民事案件的管辖，保护当事人合法权益，维护国家主权平等，促进对外友好交往，根据宪法，制定本法。 | Article 1 This Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution in order to improve the foreign state immunity system, clarify the jurisdiction of the courts of the People’s Republic of China over civil cases involving foreign states and their property, protect the legitimate rights and interests of the parties, safeguard the sovereign equality of the state, and promote friendly exchanges with foreign countries. |
| 第二条 本法所称的外国国家包括： （一）外国主权国家； （二）外国主权国家的国家机关或者组成部分； （三）外国主权国家授权行使主权权力且基于该项授权从事活动的组织或者个人。 | Article 2 The foreign states referred to in this Law include: (1) foreign sovereign states; (2) State organs or components of foreign sovereign states; (3) Organizations or individuals authorized by a foreign sovereign state to exercise sovereign power and engage in activities based on such authorization. |
| 第三条 外国国家及其财产在中华人民共和国的法院享有管辖豁免，本法另有规定的除外。 | Article 3 Foreign states and their property shall enjoy jurisdictional immunity in the courts of the People’s Republic of China, except as otherwise provided for in this Law. |
| 第四条 外国国家通过下列方式之一明示就特定事项或者案件接受中华人民共和国的法院管辖的，对于就该事项或者案件提起的诉讼，该外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免： （一）国际条约； （二）书面协议； （三）向处理案件的中华人民共和国的法院提交书面文件； （四）通过外交渠道等方式向中华人民共和国提交书面文件； （五）其他明示接受中华人民共和国的法院管辖的方式。 | Article 4 If a foreign state expressly accepts the jurisdiction of the courts of the People’s Republic of China on a specific matter or case through one of the following means, the courts of the foreign state in the People’s Republic of China shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity from litigation on the matter or case: (1) International treaties; (2) a written agreement; (3) Submit written documents to the court of the People’s Republic of China handling the case; (4) Submitting written documents to the People’s Republic of China through diplomatic channels; (5) Other means of expressly accepting the jurisdiction of the courts of the People’s Republic of China. |
| 第五条 外国国家有下列情形之一的，视为就特定事项或者案件接受中华人民共和国的法院管辖： （一）作为原告向中华人民共和国的法院提起诉讼； （二）作为被告参加中华人民共和国的法院受理的诉讼，并就案件实体问题答辩或者提出反诉； （三）作为第三人参加中华人民共和国的法院受理的诉讼； （四）在中华人民共和国的法院作为原告提起诉讼或者作为第三人提出诉讼请求时，由于与该起诉或者该诉讼请求相同的法律关系或者事实被提起反诉。 外国国家有前款第二项规定的情形，但能够证明其作出上述答辩之前不可能知道有可主张豁免的事实的，可以在知道或者应当知道该事实后的合理时间内主张管辖豁免。 | Article 5 Under any of the following circumstances, a foreign country shall be deemed to accept the jurisdiction of the courts of the People’s Republic of China over a specific matter or case: (1) To file a lawsuit in the courts of the People’s Republic of China as the plaintiff; (2) Participating as a defendant in a lawsuit accepted by the court of the People’s Republic of China, and defending or counterclaiming the substantive issues of the case; (3) Participating as a third party in a lawsuit accepted by a court of the People’s Republic of China; (4) When the court of the People’s Republic of China files a lawsuit as the plaintiff or a lawsuit as a third party, a countersuit is filed due to the same legal relationship or facts as the lawsuit or the lawsuit. If a foreign State has the circumstances provided for in Paragraph 2 of the preceding paragraph, but can prove that it could not have known the fact of claiming immunity before making the above-mentioned reply, it may claim immunity from jurisdiction within a reasonable time after it knew or should have known the fact. |
| 第六条 外国国家有下列情形之一的，不视为接受中华人民共和国的法院管辖： （一）仅为主张豁免而应诉答辩； （二）外国国家的代表在中华人民共和国的法院出庭作证； （三）同意在特定事项或者案件中适用中华人民共和国的法律。 | Article 6 A foreign country shall not be deemed to accept the jurisdiction of the courts of the People’s Republic of China under any of the following circumstances: (1) Responding to a plea for the sole purpose of asserting immunity; (2) Representatives of foreign countries testify in the courts of the People’s Republic of China; (3) Agree to apply the laws of the People’s Republic of China in specific matters or cases. |
| 第七条 外国国家与包括中华人民共和国在内的其他国家的组织或者个人进行的商业活动，在中华人民共和国领域内发生，或者虽然发生在中华人民共和国领域外但在中华人民共和国领域内产生直接影响的，对于该商业活动引起的诉讼，该外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免。 本法所称商业活动是指非行使主权权力的关于货物或者服务的交易、投资、借贷以及其他商业性质的行为。中华人民共和国的法院在认定一项行为是否属于商业活动时，应当综合考虑该行为的性质和目的。 | Article 7 The courts of the People’s Republic of China shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity for litigation arising from commercial activities conducted by a foreign state with organizations or individuals in other countries, including the People’s Republic of China, that occur within the territory of the People’s Republic of China, or that occur outside the territory of the People’s Republic of China but have a direct impact within the territory of the People’s Republic of China. For the purposes of this Law, commercial activities refer to transactions, investments, borrowings and other acts of a commercial nature relating to goods or services in which sovereign power is not exercised.When determining whether an act is a commercial activity, the courts of the People’s Republic of China shall comprehensively consider the nature and purpose of the act. |
| 第八条 外国国家为获得个人提供的劳动或者劳务而签订的合同全部或者部分在中华人民共和国领域内履行的，对于因该合同引起的诉讼，该外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免，但有下列情形之一的除外： （一）获得个人提供的劳动或者劳务是为了履行该外国国家行使主权权力的特定职能； （二）提供劳动或者劳务的个人是外交代表、领事官员、享有豁免的国际组织驻华代表机构工作人员或者其他享有相关豁免的人员； （三）提供劳动或者劳务的个人在提起诉讼时具有该外国国家的国籍，并且在中华人民共和国领域内没有经常居所； （四）该外国国家与中华人民共和国另有协议。 | Article 8 If a contract concluded by a foreign country for the purpose of obtaining labor or services provided by an individual is performed in whole or in part within the territory of the People’s Republic of China, the foreign country shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity from litigation arising from the contract in the courts of the People’s Republic of China, except in any of the following cases: (1) Obtaining labor or services provided by an individual in order to perform a specific function of the exercise of sovereign power by the foreign state; (2) The individual providing labor or services is a diplomatic agent, consular officer, staff member of a representative office of an international organization enjoying immunity, or other person enjoying relevant immunity; (3) The individual providing labor or services has the nationality of the foreign country at the time of filing the lawsuit, and has no habitual residence in the territory of the People’s Republic of China; (4) The foreign country has a separate agreement with the People’s Republic of China. |
| 第九条 对于外国国家在中华人民共和国领域内的相关行为造成人身伤害、死亡或者造成动产、不动产损失引起的赔偿诉讼，该外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免。 | Article 9 The courts of the People’s Republic of China of a foreign country shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity for claims for compensation arising from personal injury, death or loss of movable or immovable property caused by the relevant acts of the foreign country in the territory of the People’s Republic of China. |
| 第十条 对于下列财产事项的诉讼，外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免： （一）该外国国家对位于中华人民共和国领域内的不动产的任何权益或者义务； （二）该外国国家对动产、不动产的赠与、遗赠、继承或者因无人继承而产生的任何权益或者义务； （三）在管理信托财产、破产财产或者进行法人、非法人组织清算时涉及该外国国家的权益或者义务。 | Article 10 The courts of foreign countries in the People’s Republic of China shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity for litigation on the following property matters: (1) any interest or obligation of the foreign state in immovable property located in the territory of the People’s Republic of China; (2) Any rights or obligations of the foreign state arising from the gift, bequest, inheritance, or no-one inherited of movable or immovable property; (3) Involving the rights and interests or obligations of the foreign state in the management of trust property, bankruptcy property, or liquidation of a legal person or unincorporated organization. |
| 第十一条 对于下列知识产权事项的诉讼，外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免： （一）确定该外国国家受中华人民共和国法律保护的知识产权归属及相关权益； （二）该外国国家在中华人民共和国领域内侵害受中华人民共和国法律保护的知识产权及相关权益。 | Article 11 The courts of foreign countries in the People’s Republic of China shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity for litigation on the following intellectual property matters: (1) Determine the ownership of intellectual property rights and related rights and interests of the foreign country protected by the laws of the People’s Republic of China; (2) The foreign country infringes the intellectual property rights and related rights and interests protected by the laws of the People’s Republic of China within the territory of the People’s Republic of China. |
| 第十二条 外国国家与包括中华人民共和国在内的其他国家的组织或者个人之间的商业活动产生的争议，根据书面协议被提交仲裁的，或者外国国家通过国际投资条约等书面形式同意将其与包括中华人民共和国在内的其他国家的组织或者个人产生的投资争端提交仲裁的，对于需要法院审查的下列事项，该外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免： （一）仲裁协议的效力； （二）仲裁裁决的承认和执行； （三）仲裁裁决的撤销； （四）法律规定的其他由中华人民共和国的法院对仲裁进行审查的事项。 | Article 12 If a dispute arising from commercial activities between a foreign state and an organization or individual in another country, including the People’s Republic of China, is submitted to arbitration pursuant to a written agreement, or the foreign state agrees in writing to submit to arbitration an investment dispute arising from it with an organization or individual in another country, including the People’s Republic of China, the courts of the foreign state in the People’s Republic of China shall not enjoy jurisdictional immunity for the following matters that require court review: (1) the validity of the arbitration agreement; (2) Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards; (3) rescission of the arbitral award; (4) Other matters stipulated by law that shall be examined by the courts of the People’s Republic of China. |
| 第十三条 外国国家的财产在中华人民共和国的法院享有司法强制措施豁免。 外国国家接受中华人民共和国的法院管辖，不视为放弃司法强制措施豁免。 | Article 13 The property of a foreign country shall enjoy immunity from judicial compulsory measures in the courts of the People’s Republic of China. Foreign countries accepting the jurisdiction of the courts of the People’s Republic of China shall not be deemed to have waived immunity from judicial compulsory measures. |
| 第十四条 有下列情形之一的，外国国家的财产在中华人民共和国的法院不享有司法强制措施豁免： （一）外国国家以国际条约、书面协议或者向中华人民共和国的法院提交书面文件等方式明示放弃司法强制措施豁免； （二）外国国家已经拨出或者专门指定财产用于司法强制措施执行； （三）为执行中华人民共和国的法院的生效判决、裁定，对外国国家位于中华人民共和国领域内、用于商业活动且与诉讼有联系的财产采取司法强制措施。 | Article 14 Under any of the following circumstances, the property of a foreign country does not enjoy immunity from judicial compulsory measures in the courts of the People’s Republic of China: (1) Foreign countries expressly waive immunity from judicial compulsory measures by means of international treaties, written agreements, or written documents submitted to the courts of the People’s Republic of China; (2) The foreign state has allocated or specifically designated property for the enforcement of judicial compulsory measures; (3) In order to implement the effective judgments and rulings of the courts of the People’s Republic of China, judicial compulsory measures shall be taken against the property of foreign countries located in the territory of the People’s Republic of China and used in commercial activities and connected with litigation. |
| 第十五条 下列外国国家的财产不视为本法第十四条第三项规定的用于商业活动的财产： （一）外交代表机构、领事机构、特别使团、驻国际组织代表团或者派往国际会议的代表团用于、意图用于公务的财产，包括银行账户款项； （二）属于军事性质的财产，或者用于、意图用于军事的财产； （三）外国和区域经济一体化组织的中央银行或者履行中央银行职能的金融管理机构的财产，包括现金、票据、银行存款、有价证券、外汇储备、黄金储备以及该中央银行或者该履行中央银行职能的金融管理机构的不动产和其他财产； （四）构成该国文化遗产或者档案的一部分，且非供出售或者意图出售的财产； （五）用于展览的具有科学、文化、历史价值的物品，且非供出售或者意图出售的财产； （六）中华人民共和国的法院认为不视为用于商业活动的其他财产。 | Article 15 The property of the following foreign countries shall not be deemed to be used for commercial activities as stipulated in Paragraph 3 of Article 14 of this Law: (1) Property used or intended for use by diplomatic missions, consular offices, special missions, missions to international organizations, or delegations to international conferences, including funds in bank accounts; (2) Property of a military nature, or used or intended to be used for military purposes; (3) the property of the central bank of a foreign and regional economic integration organization or the financial management institution that performs the functions of a central bank, including cash, bills, bank deposits, securities, foreign exchange reserves, gold reserves, and real estate and other property of the central bank or the financial management institution that performs the functions of a central bank; (4) Property that forms part of the cultural heritage or archives of the country and is not for sale or intended for sale; (5) Items of scientific, cultural, or historical value used for the exhibition that are not for sale or intended for sale; (6) Other property deemed by the courts of the People’s Republic of China not to be used for commercial activities. |
| 第十六条 对于外国国家及其财产民事案件的审判和执行程序，本法没有规定的，适用中华人民共和国的民事诉讼法律以及其他相关法律的规定。 | Article 16 The provisions of the Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant laws shall apply to the trial and execution procedures of foreign countries and their property civil cases that are not provided for in this Law. |
| 第十七条 中华人民共和国的法院向外国国家送达传票或者其他诉讼文书，应当按照下列方式进行： （一）该外国国家与中华人民共和国缔结或者共同参加的国际条约规定的方式； （二）该外国国家接受且中华人民共和国法律不禁止的其他方式。 通过前款方式无法完成送达的，可以通过外交照会方式送交该外国国家外交部门，外交照会发出之日视为完成送达。 按照本条第一款、第二款规定的方式进行送达的诉讼文书，应当依照该外国国家与中华人民共和国缔结或者共同参加的国际条约的规定附上有关语言的译本，没有相关国际条约的，附上该外国国家官方语言的译本。 向外国国家送达起诉状副本时，应当一并通知该外国国家在收到起诉状副本后三个月内提出答辩状。 外国国家在对其提起的诉讼中就实体问题答辩后，不得再就诉讼文书的送达方式提出异议。 | Article 17 A court of the People’s Republic of China shall serve a summons or other litigation document on a foreign country in the following manner: (1) The manner stipulated in the international treaties concluded or acceded to jointly by the foreign country and the People’s Republic of China; (2) Other methods accepted by the foreign country and not prohibited by the laws of the People’s Republic of China. If the service cannot be completed by the method mentioned in the preceding paragraph, it may be sent to the diplomatic department of the foreign country by means of a diplomatic note, which shall be deemed to have been completed on the date of issuance of the diplomatic note. If the litigation documents are served in the manner stipulated in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, a translation into the relevant language shall be attached in accordance with the provisions of the international treaties concluded or acceded to jointly by the foreign country and the People’s Republic of China. If there is no relevant international treaty, a translation into the official language of the foreign country shall be attached. When a copy of the indictment is served on a foreign country, the foreign country shall be notified to file a reply within three months after receiving the copy of the indictment. After the foreign state has defended the substantive issue in the lawsuit against it, it may no longer object to the way the litigation documents are served. |
| 第十八条 经送达完成，外国国家未在中华人民共和国的法院指定期限内出庭的，法院应当主动查明该外国国家是否享有管辖豁免。对于外国国家在中华人民共和国的法院不享有管辖豁免的案件，法院可以缺席判决，但应当在诉讼文书送达之日的六个月以后。 中华人民共和国的法院对外国国家作出的缺席判决，应当按照本法第十七条的规定送达。 外国国家对中华人民共和国的法院缺席判决提起上诉的期限为六个月，从判决书送达之日起计算。 | Article 18 If a foreign state fails to appear in court within the time limit specified by the court of the People’s Republic of China after completion of service, the court shall take the initiative to ascertain whether the foreign state enjoys jurisdictional immunity.In cases where a foreign state does not enjoy jurisdictional immunity in the courts of the People’s Republic of China, the court may adjudicate in absentia, but six months after the date of service of the litigation documents. A judgment rendered in absentia by a court of the People’s Republic of China against a foreign state shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Article 17 of this Law. The time limit for foreign countries to appeal the judgment of the People’s Republic of China in absentia is six months, counting from the date of service of the judgment. |
| 第十九条 中华人民共和国外交部就以下有关国家行为的事实问题出具的证明文件，中华人民共和国的法院应当采信： （一）案件中的相关国家是否构成本法第二条第一项中的外国主权国家； （二）本法第十七条规定的外交照会是否送达以及何时送达； （三）其他有关国家行为的事实问题。 对于前款以外其他涉及外交事务等重大国家利益的问题，中华人民共和国外交部可以向中华人民共和国的法院出具意见。 | Article 19 The courts of the People’s Republic of China shall adopt the following supporting documents issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China concerning the factual issues concerning the acts of the State: (1) Whether the relevant country in the case constitutes a foreign sovereign state in Article 2 (1) of this Law; (2) Whether and when the diplomatic note stipulated in Article 17 of this Law will be served; (3) Other questions of fact concerning the conduct of the State. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China may issue opinions to the courts of the People’s Republic of China on matters other than the preceding paragraph that involve foreign affairs and other major national interests. |
| 第二十条 本法规定不影响外国的外交代表机构、领事机构、特别使团、驻国际组织代表团、派往国际会议的代表团及上述机构的相关人员根据中华人民共和国的法律、中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约享有的特权与豁免。 本法规定不影响外国国家元首、政府首脑、外交部长及其他具有同等身份的官员根据中华人民共和国的法律、中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约以及国际习惯享有的特权与豁免。 | Article 20 The provisions of this Law shall not affect the privileges and immunities enjoyed by foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices, special missions, delegations to international organizations, delegations to international conferences and relevant personnel of the above-mentioned institutions in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China and international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People’s Republic of China. The provisions of this Law shall not affect the privileges and immunities enjoyed by foreign Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers for Foreign Affairs and other officials with equivalent status in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China, international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People’s Republic of China, and international customs. |
| 第二十一条 外国给予中华人民共和国国家及其财产的豁免待遇低于本法规定的，中华人民共和国实行对等原则。 | Article 21 If a foreign country grants the People’s Republic of China and its property immunity treatment lower than that stipulated in this Law, the People’s Republic of China shall apply the principle of reciprocity. |
| 第二十二条 中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约同本法有不同规定的，适用该国际条约的规定，但中华人民共和国声明保留的条款除外。 | Article 22 If an international treaty concluded or acceded to by the People’s Republic of China differs from the provisions of this Law, the provisions of the international treaty shall apply, except for the provisions on which the People’s Republic of China declares reservations. |
| 第二十三条 本法自2024年1月1日起施行。 | Article 23 This Law shall go into effect as of January 1, 2024. |