Legal issues of Consumer Rights Protection in China’s cross-border E-Commerce under the RCEP framework

This research examines legal shortcomings in China’s cross-border e-commerce consumer protection regime under the RCEP framework. It identifies key issues including fragmented jurisdiction, inadequate Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanisms, insufficient personal information safeguards, and weak regulatory coordination. Although China’s E-Commerce Law and related statutes have established a foundation, they fall short in addressing cross-border complexities. Drawing on RCEP’s consumer protection provisions, the study proposes targeted reforms: improving jurisdictional clarity through party autonomy and denationalization principles; clarifying the legal status of ODR and unifying procedural standards; strengthening personal information protection through tiered consent and clear withdrawal mechanisms; and enhancing inter-agency coordination to reduce regulatory overlap. It further advocates for regional harmonization of consumer rights protections and deeper cooperation among RCEP members. These measures aim to build a more coherent and trustworthy legal framework for cross-border e-commerce, fostering consumer confidence and ensuring China’s law alignment with regional trade standards.