Key facts
- The law contains 47 articles across six chapters, Xinhua reported.
- It requires Chinese companies in cross-border business to set up anti-corruption compliance functions proportionate to size, activities and risk, Xinhua said.
- The National Commission of Supervision is named the leading body, working with foreign affairs, public security, judicial, fiscal, commerce, anti-money laundering, audit and cyberspace authorities.
- A draft was first reviewed in August 2025 and revised before adoption, Xinhua reported.
- The law requires investigators to protect state secrets, commercial secrets and personal data obtained during probes, Xinhua said.
China's legislature passed a dedicated cross-border anti-corruption law on November 6, 2026, requiring companies operating across borders to establish compliance systems and strengthening efforts to investigate corruption, pursue fugitives overseas and recover illicit assets.
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress approved the Anti-Cross-Border Corruption Law at its 25th session. The legislation took effect upon promulgation.
State news agency Xinhua reported that the law contains 47 articles across six chapters covering institutional mechanisms and responsibilities, case handling, international cooperation, integrity and compliance requirements, and legal liabilities. It is designed to prevent and punish cross-border corruption, deepen international anti-corruption cooperation, and safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, Xinhua reported.
A draft was first reviewed in August 2025 and underwent further revisions before adoption, Xinhua reported. The revisions tightened confidentiality requirements, requiring investigators to protect state secrets, commercial secrets and personal data obtained during probes, and increased corporate compliance obligations, requiring Chinese companies engaged in cross-border business to establish anti-corruption compliance functions proportionate to their size, business activities and risk exposure, Xinhua said.
The law names the National Commission of Supervision as the leading body, alongside foreign affairs, public security, judicial, fiscal, commerce, anti-money laundering, audit and cyberspace authorities sharing information and working together within their respective duties, according to Xinhua. The commission handles day-to-day work, organizes, coordinates and investigates major cases, and conducts international cooperation with relevant departments, the report said.