Foreign litigants receive equal protection whether they are plaintiffs or defendants in lawsuits in China, judges said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a forum in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Luo Dongchuan, chief judge of the foreign-related cases department at China's top court, said equal protection is the aim and principle when Chinese courts hear cases involving foreigners, "which means foreign litigants should follow Chinese judicial procedures if they appeal to Chinese courts."

Chinese is the only language in trials involving foreigners, but Chinese courts can provide translators if foreign litigants and witnesses request them, Luo said, adding that those who request the service should pay the fees.

Liang Yu, the chief judge for foreign-related disputes at the Guangxi High People's Court, echoed Luo's sentiments.

"Our judges can mediate after trials in English with involved foreigners, but speaking Chinese at hearings and finding Chinese lawyers are necessary per the law and a way to show China's legal image and sovereignty," Liang said.

Liang said his department handled as many civil and business disputes involving foreigners from January to June as it did in all of 2013.

When foreigners are involved in criminal cases, courts will inform their embassies and allow the foreigners to discuss the case with court officials outside of court if they wish, said Wang Ka, president of Chongzuo Intermediate People's Court.

In August, Zhou Qiang, president of China's top court, said that the door of all Chinese courts would be open to foreigners.

"We invite foreigners to visit, hear cases, supervise our work and share judicial opinions with us," he said.

- Cao Yin

(China Daily USA 09/18/2014 page6)