On November 18, 2019, the “Discovering the EU through Brussels” Legal & Arbitration Forum was successfully held in Beijing. The forum was co-organized by the Brussels Invest & Export (HUB.Brussels), the Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (CEPANI) and CIETAC. This forum was one of the activities of Belgian Economic Mission to China in November 2019, presided by Princess Astrid of Belgium as the representative of King Philippe of Belgium. Ms. Isabelle Grippa, CEO of HUB.Brussels, addressed the forum. Mr. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC, and Mr. Bernard Dewit, CIETAC Arbitrator and Chairman of Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC), gave speeches at the forum.

(Ms. Isabelle Grippa, CEO of HUB.Brussels, is making a welcome speech)

Ms. Isabelle Grippa extended her warm welcome to the guests. She introduced that Brussels, located in the geographical center of Europe, is the center of the European legal and arbitration community. It has multiple official languages and enjoys unique advantages in the European market. She looked forward to cooperation and communication between Belgium and China on economy, trade and arbitration law.

(Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC, delivered a speech)

Secretary General Wang Chengjie delivered a speech on "Integration and Innovation: Latest Development of Chinese Arbitration and CIETAC Arbitration". He pointed out that the development of Chinese arbitration  is indispensable from the strong support of the Chinese government and the judicial branch. Chinese arbitration practice has made great progress since the enactment of the Arbitration Law in 1995, and arbitration has become an increasingly important method to resolve commercial disputes in China. He also introduced the characteristics and advantages of CIETAC arbitration based on the caseload of CIETAC. CIETAC is devoted to promoting international arbitration exchanges and cooperation, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with the HUB.Brussels and Belgian arbitration and legal community, thereby providing new impetus for the continuous deepening of multi-level cooperation between China and Europe.

(Mr. Bernard Dewit, CIETAC Arbitrator and Chairman of BCECC, is making a speech)

Mr. Bernard Dewit, CIETAC Arbitrator and Chairman of BCECC, made a speech entitled "Brussels, International Arbitration Hub". He introduced in details to the guests the advantages of Belgium and Brussels in the European market, and briefed on the arbitration and mediation services of CEPANI and the Belgian legal system.

(Session I: Latest Development of EU Law)

Session I was chaired by Mr. Peter Pronk, Director of EUSME Centre. Mr. Valentin de le Court, Intellectual Property Partner of Daldewolf, Ms. Jane Murphy, Founder and Chairman of the board of the European Data Protection Office (EDPO), and Mr. Olivier Dugardyn, Senior Partner of Dugardyn & Partners, respectively shared their opinions on the topic of “Latest Development of EU Law”.

(Session II: Doing business in Belgium)

Session II was chaired by CIETAC Arbitrator Ms. Wang Yan. Mr. Guillaume Blauwaert, Executive Director (in charge of Belgium) of alterDomus, Mr. Emmanuel Plasschaert, Partner of Crowell & Moring LLP, and Mr. Bernard Dewit, CIETAC arbitrator and Chairman of BCECC, respectively shared their opinions on the topic of “Doing business in Belgium”.

(Mr. Victor Dulait, East Asia Manager of HUB.Brussels, is making closing remarks)

Mr. Victor Dulait, East Asia Manager of HUB.Brussels, made closing remarks for the forum.

Representatives of arbitration institutions, enterprises, chambers of commerce and lawyers from China and Belgium participated in the forum.