Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

submittedVersion

Publication Date

7-2021

Abstract

Since starting its economic reform four decades ago, China has been highly successful in integrating its economy into regional and global value chains (GVCs). This started with simple assembly and processing, then expanded to low-end labor-intensive manufacturing, and gradually moved up to technology-intensive and capital-intensive industries. This article analyzes the development of Chinese law, legal institutions, and international and transnational legal initiatives to support the development of GVCs, which we divide into five phases. The article does not idealize law in terms of ‘commitment’ or ‘rule of law,’ but rather, in the legal realist tradition, views law as an important, contributing factor in economic change. It presents law as a signalling and coordinative device that serves to channel private conduct for business planning and coordination. The article provides insights for understanding current developments in the trading system and their implications for regional and global value chains.

Keywords

global value chains, design and production networks, China, Chinese law

Discipline

Asian Studies | International Trade Law | Operations and Supply Chain Management

Research Areas

Public International Law, Regional and Trade Law

Publication

Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies

ISSN

1476-5284

Identifier

10.1080/14765284.2021.1943183

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Embargo Period

7-11-2021

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/14765284.2021.1943183

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