Digital technologies have become widespread in China, and are a
huge part of the economy's success. For example, more than 750
million smartphones are currently in use in China, and tools such
as WeChat and Alipay have become indispensable in daily life. In
law however, the use of electronic data is still under development.
In particular, China's rules on evidence sometimes make it
difficult for courts to admit electronic data into evidence. On 26
December 2019, the Supreme People's Court (SPC, China's
highest court) took an important step forward with the Several
Provisions on Evidence for Civil Actions. The new rules will go
into effect on 1 May 2020, but we expect courts to start using them
as guidance immediately.
