A tribunal specializing in foreign-related commercial disputes was established on Thursday in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to support the region's high-level opening-up and promote the high-quality development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, court officials said.

The tribunal, located in the Urumqi area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, is the first and only specialized foreign-related judicial institution in Xinjiang. It aims to provide an optimal venue for international commercial dispute resolution, said Luo Zhiyong, deputy chief judge of the Supreme People's Court's 6th Circuit Court, which oversees major administrative, civil and commercial cases in northwest China, including Xinjiang.

"The tribunal plays an important role in optimizing Xinjiang's business environment and improving the region's international competitiveness," Luo said. "By handling foreign-related cases well, the court will demonstrate Xinjiang's openness, inclusiveness and confidence on the international stage."

Dilxat Sayim, president of the High People's Court of Xinjiang, said the tribunal will support the high-quality development of the Xinjiang pilot free trade zone, which was established in November and includes three key areas: Urumqi, Kashgar and Horgos. It is the first free trade zone in China's northwestern border region.

"It aims to protect the legitimate rights and interests of various market entities equally under the law and promote fair, efficient and convenient resolutions for international civil and commercial disputes," Dilxat said. "It will also provide convenient, efficient, intelligent and precise foreign-related judicial services for Chinese and foreign entities."

The tribunal plans to establish mechanisms for case exchanges and inquiries with other countries. It also aims to strengthen cooperation with universities and research institutions to deepen theoretical studies on counter-sanctions and anti-long-arm jurisdiction, he said.

To support the tribunal's operations, Urumqi's courts have integrated domestic commercial trial functions related to high-level opening-up, such as foreign-related commercial affairs and intellectual property rights. They have also accelerated the development of a team of foreign-related judges with expertise in international rules and foreign legal practices, Dilxat said.

The tribunal is part of the Silk Road Economic Belt Legal Service District, which was established in Urumqi on Nov 17 last year. Similar legal service districts have been set up in Fujian and Shaanxi provinces to support the Belt and Road Initiative.

By the end of January, more than 1,425 cases involving foreign-related commercial affairs, intellectual property rights, contracts, sales and loans had been concluded in the legal service district in Xinjiang, according to a white paper on the district's operations released on Thursday.