What 合同解除 means
合同解除 is a Civil Code contract-law concept. Grounds include agreement of the parties, a contractual termination right, and statutory grounds such as material breach or (in defined cases) force majeure. Termination is not the same as expiry of a fixed term, and it is not labour-contract termination (解除劳动合同).
Foreign parties often “terminate for convenience” in the English draft. PRC analysis asks whether a termination right exists, whether notice and cure were required, whether liquidated damages or deposit rules apply, and what happens to goods already delivered.
Where you see the term
Translation note
合同解除 is “termination of contract” (sometimes “rescission” in older translations). Do not confuse it with 解除劳动合同, the employment-law term already in the glossary.
Primary legal basis
Example
A buyer wants to walk away from a delayed equipment contract. The English version allows termination for convenience; the Chinese version only allows termination after a cure period for a specified breach. The enforceable path depends on the governing text, formation and Civil Code termination rules — not on the English heading “termination.”
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026