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As the first basic and comprehensive foreign relations law that intends to close the gaps in the rule of law in international affairs in light of fresh difficulties in international relations, China's highest legislature ratified the Foreign Relations Law on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone.

The law, which is broken down into six chapters, lays out the direction and fundamental principles of foreign relations, as well as specific provisions on the roles and authority of foreign relations, the goals and tasks of their development, their legal framework, and their capacity building and assurance.  It will become operative starting July 1.

The Foreign Relations Law mandates that the nation strengthen the implementation and application of laws and regulations in the field of foreign affairs and take law enforcement, judicial, and administrative measures in accordance with the law to safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as protect the legitimate rights and interests of other nations, the Global Times reported.

According to the legislation, fostering international cooperation and creating a comprehensive, multi-level, extensive, and three-dimensional external work structure are among the objectives of fostering goodwill and cooperation between major nations. 

The law also grants diplomatic efforts in the course of counteracting sanctions, anti-intervention, and long-arm jurisdiction a legal foundation. It also aims to continuously expand the legal toolkit and create strategies for defending national interests, which could serve as a preventative measure, a warning, and a deterrent factor against Western hegemony, the Global Times cited experts as saying.

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