An Analysis of Differences in Sino-Russian Contract Liability Models from the Perspective of Russia’s 2025 New Regulations on Late Payment in Procurement Contracts

In December 2025, Russia’s State Duma amended the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, extending administrative liability for late payment under procurement contracts from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to all suppliers. Taking this reform as an entry point, this paper compares Sino-Russian contractual liability models and finds that China adopts a unitary a private-law liability model focusing on civil compensation and party autonomy, while Russia establishes a dual-track liability model that combines private and public law, defining late payment as both civil breach and administrative offence. Understanding these differences is crucial for the compliance and risk control of Chinese cross-border enterprises.

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