ABSTRACT
This chapter examines China’s approach to corporate accountability for socio-economic rights and describes the socio-economic and rule-of-law environment in China, thereby giving foundations for an analysis of the business and socio-economic normative framework. It deals with business and socio-economic rights in China. First, it studies the domestic normative framework for business and socio-economic rights within China, and second, the international level – China’s approach to business and human rights within the United Nations. The chapter explains attempts of various Chinese societies and organizations to improve regulation of China-based corporations doing business beyond its borders in order to improve how individuals obtain effective access to judicial fora against Chinese corporations for alleged human rights violations and access to justice for socio-economic rights. It argues that China has to improve corporate accountability for socio-economic rights by creating a legal basis for effective access to justice by ensuring effective, fair, impartial and independent proceedings where victims would be able to bring their claims.
