%0 Journal Article
%T No-U-Turn Clauses in Chinese Investment Treaties
%A Xinhui Hong
%J Beijing Law Review
%P 188-199
%@ 2159-4635
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/blr.2024.151012
%X To prevent parallel proceedings, international investment agreements (IIAs) have incorporated the ¡°fork-in-the-road¡± clause and ¡°no-U-turn¡± clause to coordinate domestic and international proceedings to the same investment dispute. The ¡°no-U-turn¡± clause is more flexible than the ¡°fork-in-the-road¡± clause because it permits the investor to initiate international arbitration after commencing domestic proceedings against the same measure of the host state. When applying ¡°no-U-turn¡± clauses in investor-state arbitration cases where China is the respondent state, China¡¯s relevant administrative litigation laws should be considered. This article explores two core issues that should be clarified when interpreting Chinese ¡°no-U-turn¡± clauses, namely, the identity of the actor initiating domestic proceedings and the time when domestic proceedings can be withdrawn under Chinese law. By analyzing the deficiencies of the existing Chinese ¡°no-U-turn¡± clauses which may cause ambiguity and impair their effectiveness in preventing parallel proceedings, this article proposes corresponding improvement suggestions. There should be more clarity in the wording of ¡°no-U-turn¡± clauses that specify the identity of the party filing and withdrawing domestic proceedings. Additionally, China should establish more specific standards for allowing the withdrawal of administrative litigations.
%K No-U-Turn Clause
%K Waiver Clause
%K Fork-in-the-Road Clause
%K ISDS
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=131514