Logistics Management and its Legal Environment in China

Abstract

After almost 15 years of lobbying and negotiation, China has finally cleared all the hurdles to gain World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership, joining in November 2001. However, foreign investors in China are increasingly embroiled in disputes with Chinese companies due to logistics barriers. This article is a literature review which examines the idea that China's entry into the WTO and its legal reforms in response to globalisation will have a significant impact on the entire system of logistics management. The existing literature reveals very little systematic research in this area from the legal perspective. With continual legal reforms, there are tremendous opportunities to fundamentally improve logistics theory and practice. This article critically investigates the constraints of logistics management in China in the context of its WTO entry, and puts forward ideas that may help to create a blueprint for China's future legal reforms.