A Comparative Study of Electronic Commerce ODR: Legal Challenges and Reform Perspectives in China and Indonesia

Zuo Xiangbin; Nur Khalidah Dahlan; Haniff Ahamat

doi:10.15294/jllr.v7i1.32326

Authors

Zuo Xiangbin Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia and Guangzhou Kingpound Law Firm, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0884-4628
Nur Khalidah Dahlan Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5358-3797
Haniff Ahamat Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4026-3633

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v7i1.32326

Keywords:

Electronic Commerce ODR, Platform Autonomous ODR, Legal Challenges and Reform Perspectives, China and Indonesia, ASEAN Cross-Border Mutual Recognition

Abstract

This article examines the differentiated development paths of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) systems in China and Indonesia, two core digital economies in ASEAN. China has established a centralized ODR framework through its “E-commerce Law,” which strengthens the enforcement of awards via a judicial coordination model. However, the exclusion of ad hoc arbitration in the “Arbitration Law” limits the effectiveness of platform autonomous awards (internal platform rulings). In contrast, Indonesia relies on platform autonomy, with platforms such as Tokopedia handling disputes. However, enforcement issues for mediation agreements arise from the absence of central legislation, fragmentation of jurisdiction across islands, and the failure of the Arbitration Law to recognize temporary arbitration (ad hoc arbitration). Shared challenges faced by both countries include barriers to mutual recognition of cross-border rulings, lack of technical standards, and privacy protection conflicts due to data localization policies. This article provides several policy recommendations: China should amend the Arbitration Law to recognize the validity of temporary arbitration and establish a national ODR data center to streamline the judicial confirmation process. Indonesia needs to quickly set up a central judicial certification center to make sure that all of its outer islands follow the same rules. This can be done by changing the E-commerce Law and the Arbitration Law. At the regional level, ASEAN should learn from the EU’s ODR platform by creating a system that recognizes certain cross-border rulings and setting up a data exchange center that balances Indonesia’s data storage needs with Singapore’s rules for sharing data across borders. The results supplement to legal reform scholarship by offering practical solutions for integrating ODR systems and harmonizing cross-border dispute resolution across ASEAN, fostering a dynamic adaptation of technical justice to legal authority in the digital age.

Author Biographies

Zuo Xiangbin, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia and Guangzhou Kingpound Law Firm, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China

Zuo Xiangbin was born in China in 1988. He received the master’s degree from South China University of Technology, China. Now, he studies in Faculty of Law, The National University of Malaysia, Malaysia. At the same time, he serves as a consultant to Guangzhou Kingpound Law Firm. The author has contributed to research in topics: ADR & Commercial Law and International Economic law.
Nur Khalidah Dahlan, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Dr. Nur Khalidah Dahlan is an academic researcher from the National University of Malaysia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Economic Justice & Alternative dispute resolution.
Haniff Ahamat, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haniff Ahamat is an academic researcher from National University of Malaysia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Public International Law, International Economic Law, Law of WTO, Competition Law

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