Contract Formation under Chinese Law

This chapter discusses the law on contract formation in Chinese law which largely follows the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts. An objective approach is adopted in determining the parties’ intentions but exceptions are allowed where parties have not accurately expressed their true agreement, the contract is a sham, or one party’s intentional false expression is known to the other. For a contract to be binding, its ‘essential elements’ must be agreed (names of the parties, subject matter, and quantity); other terms may be agreed by the parties after the conclusion of the contract or, failing that, determination by the court. In reality, however, courts use soft laws and the nature of the contract, to augment what is required. A purported acceptance which makes a ‘non-material’ alteration to the content of the offer can bind the offeror unless the offeror timely rejects it, but there is little scope for non-materiality. Nevertheless, even a materially varied acceptance can bind if the original offeror’s performance amounts to acceptance where the usage of transaction or the express terms of the offer allows acceptance by conduct. Furthermore, courts show willingness to recognize an acceptance by conduct of performance beyond these two situations. There is no general requirement of form for a valid contract, although exceptionally, laws or administrative regulations may require writing or approval/registration. There is no general requirement of consideration; gratuitous contracts are enforceable. However, the latter attract far less legal force than onerous contracts. An offer is irrevocable only if it is an option or if the offeree reasonably believes the offer is irrevocable and has made preparations for the performance of the contract. An acceptance takes effect only when it arrives. A late acceptance that is not attributed to the offeree is ineffective unless the offeror gives timely notice of its intention to ratify the acceptance. Electronic means of communication are treated in the same way as paper-based communications with specific rules to determine the time and place of contract formation and the validity of electronic signature. Reliance-based pre-contractual liability may be imposed, on the basis of the requirement of good faith, in the circumstances including negotiating with no intention of concluding a contract, intentional concealment of material facts, or breach of confidentiality.