Advancing the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner constitutes one of the core tenets of XI Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. Its profound implications are primarily reflected in the dialectical relationship between the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs, as well as the fundamental requirements and guiding principles for their coordinated advancement. This proposition draws upon multiple intellectual foundations, including the theory of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, the theory of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, progressive concepts of modern international law, and the fine traditional Chinese culture. It resonates with the current era, aligns with the overall balance between domestic and international situations, and demonstrates the path to building a human community with a shared future through the rule of law while providing legal support for the realization of key national strategic goals. It is of great overall contemporary significance both internationally and strategically. At present, the focus should be on advancing the rule of law in foreign-related affairs through the following pathways: properly handling the relationship between the two “pairs of rule of law,” strengthening the strategic framework for the rule of law in foreign-related affairs, enhancing the development of foreign-related rule of law systems, deepening the study and application of international law, and bolstering the development of a talent pool for the rule of law in foreign related affairs so as to advance the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner.Advancing the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner constitutes one of the core tenets of XI Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. Its profound implications are primarily reflected in the dialectical relationship between the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs, as well as the fundamental requirements and guiding principles for their coordinated advancement. This proposition draws upon multiple intellectual foundations, including the theory of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, the theory of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, progressive concepts of modern international law, and the fine traditional Chinese culture. It resonates with the current era, aligns with the overall balance between domestic and international situations, and demonstrates the path to building a human community with a shared future through the rule of law while providing legal support for the realization of key national strategic goals. It is of great overall contemporary significance both internationally and strategically. At present, the focus should be on advancing the rule of law in foreign-related affairs through the following pathways: properly handling the relationship between the two “pairs of rule of law,” strengthening the strategic framework for the rule of law in foreign-related affairs, enhancing the development of foreign-related rule of law systems, deepening the study and application of international law, and bolstering the development of a talent pool for the rule of law in foreign related affairs so as to advance the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner.Advancing the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner constitutes one of the core tenets of XI Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. Its profound implications are primarily reflected in the dialectical relationship between the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs, as well as the fundamental requirements and guiding principles for their coordinated advancement. This proposition draws upon multiple intellectual foundations, including the theory of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, the theory of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, progressive concepts of modern international law, and the fine traditional Chinese culture. It resonates with the current era, aligns with the overall balance between domestic and international situations, and demonstrates the path to building a human community with a shared future through the rule of law while providing legal support for the realization of key national strategic goals. It is of great overall contemporary significance both internationally and strategically. At present, the focus should be on advancing the rule of law in foreign-related affairs through the following pathways: properly handling the relationship between the two “pairs of rule of law,” strengthening the strategic framework for the rule of law in foreign-related affairs, enhancing the development of foreign-related rule of law systems, deepening the study and application of international law, and bolstering the development of a talent pool for the rule of law in foreign related affairs so as to advance the rule of law in domestic and foreign-related affairs in a coordinated manner.

The rule of law in foreign-related affairs in China operates under two paradigms: the national paradigm and the global paradigm. The national paradigm is dedicated to elevating the nation’s rule of law standards, promoting legalization of foreign-related work across all aspects and sectors, and improving legal methodologies in international engagements. It aims to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and legal entities overseas and enhance the nation’s rule of law image. The global paradigm demonstrates the sense of responsibility of China for actively participating in global governance, aiming to advance the international rule of law, contribute to world peace and development, and actively promote the building of a human community with a shared future. These are two complementary yet occasionally conflicting paradigms. A nation must firstly ensure its own independence, autonomy and sound development in order to contribute to the realization of the vision of a good global order. The traditional Chinese view of righteousness and interests helps to effectively guide the mutual promotion and restriction of the national paradigm and the global paradigm. With the national paradigm acting as a prerequisite for the global paradigm, we can properly allocate resources and form a structured, rigorous and reliable timeline and roadmap for the rule of law in foreign-related affairs.

Paragraph 2 of Article 30 of the Law on Foreign Relations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), adopted at the third session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) on June 28, 2023, explicitly stipulates that “treaties and agreements that the State concludes or accedes to shall not contravene the Constitution.” This marks the first explicit recognition in Chinese statutory law of the hierarchical relationship between treaties and the Constitution, effectively establishing the principle of constitutional supremacy within the statutory rule system. Under the Law on Foreign Relations, the constitutional review system established by the newly revised Legislation Law of the PRC, which centers on the exercise of the power of constitutional review by the NPC Standing Committee, has expanded the scope of review objects and, more importantly, provided a new legal basis for constitutional review. The provisions, principles, and spirit of the Constitution can serve as definitive standards for constitutional review. Therefore, the formal implementation of the Law on Foreign Relations has injected new vitality into China’s constitutional review system, granting the Constitution, as the fundamental law of the State, the highest legal authority within the statutory hierarchy. This advancement contributes to promoting the implementation of the Constitution and upholding its authority.

During the tenth group study session of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President XI Jinping stressed to strengthen the development of the foreign-related legal system (FRLS), bringing the FRLS back into focus within China’s legal framework. While today’s FRLS, like that of the early reform and opening up period, falls within the scope of domestic law and part of the domestic legal system, its content and functions have evolved. As the foundation of the rule of law in foreign related affairs, today’s FRLS has gone beyond the original focus on “attracting foreign investment” and the dual-track legislative model. It is now more focused on adjusting international relations, safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, facilitating progress in international rule of law, and advancing the building of a human community with a shared future. This return and transcendence reflect shifts in the global landscape and the development of China’s rule of law.

Legal professionals for foreign-related affairs (LPFFRA) constitute the foundation of China’s development of the rule of law in foreign-related affairs. By reviewing the evolution of China’s LPFFRA training since reform and opening up, and examining, from the supply-side and demand-side perspectives, both the practice of such training and the employment of Chinese legal professionals in international organizations, this article helps reveal gaps in the existing LPFFRA training system. With a view to optimizing the system, reforms must prioritize comprehensive competency development, promote interdisciplinary “law +” programs, standardize training mechanisms, and align supply with dynamic demand. Key recommendations include centering cross-cultural communication capacity to construct a competency-based framework, fostering interdisciplinary integration to reshape legal education, establishing national standards to ensure standardization and quality, and expanding market demand and enhancing supply-demand coordination. These pathways aim to improve the training system for China’s LPFFRA.

As the forefront of China’s reform and opening up in the new era, free trade zones (FTZs) are not only a testing ground for promoting the domestic rule of law but also a pilot zone for aligning with the international rule of law. Over the past decade, China’s FTZs have formed a new pattern in which eastern FTZs collaborate with western ones and opening up is implemented across the board in the areas along borders, rivers, and coastal regions. However, they have also given rise to the issue of coordination of multiple interests such as reform and the rule of law, development and risks. XI Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law emphasizes advancing the domestic rule of law and foreign related rule of law in a coordinated manner. During FTZ construction, efforts should be made to fully explore the compatibility of the foreign-related rule of law with the domestic rule of law and the international rule of law. This entails optimizing the development pattern through coordination between the central and local governments, achieving steady opening up by aligning with international standards, and consolidating institutional innovation through multilateral cooperation. The ultimate goal is to establish FTZs as new heights of opening up characterized by a higher level of openness, a better business environment, and a stronger radiation effect.