On December 10, 2020, Gu Yan, Vice President of the CIETAC Arbitration Court & Secretary General of CIETAC Jiangsu Arbitration Center (“CIETAC Jiangsu Center”), held discussions with Lianyungang Bar Association in Lianyungang. Zhang Yujun, President of Lianyungang Bar Association, Ji Wenxian, Division Director of the Bureau of Justice of Lianyungang City , Wu Yi, lawyer of Fangben (Lianyungang) Law Office and other law firm representatives attended the discussions.

According to Vice President Gu Yan, with the development of China (Jiangsu) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lianyungang Area (“Lianyungang Area”) and the imminent opening of the several high-speed railways to Lianyungang, the quality of legal services and competence of lawyers in Lianyungang will be further developed. Both lawyers and arbitrators are parts of the legal profession community. Arbitration provides a broad stage for lawyers. In the future, there will be more lawyers to be engaged in the practice of arbitration as arbitrators or legal agents. It is hoped that the establishment of CIETAC Jiangsu Center will set up a platform to expand new areas for lawyers in Lianyungang, enhance their professionality and further promote the development of arbitration in the locality. Vice President Gu Yan also briefed Lianyungang Bar Association on CIETAC Jiangsu Center and CIETAC’s cooperation with Beijing Lawyer Association and the Bar Council of UK on lawyers training.

President Zhang Yujun extended a warm welcome to Vice President Gu Yan and his delegation, saying that Lianyungang, as the intersection of the “Belt and Road”, is also a transit hub for trade connecting East and Central Asia. In recent years, Lianyungang has made great efforts to develop the pharmaceutical industry and successfully built the "China Medicine Port". With the further construction of Lianyungang Area, Lianyungang has been faced with multiple strategic opportunities. However, the local legal service resources are unbalanced and the availability of legal professionals is limited. The general level of local legal services shall be improved through a series of measures including the introduction of renowned law firms and legal professionals nationally. CIETAC has internationally renowned brand and advanced arbitration management experience. Lianyungang Bar Association is willing to work closely with CIETAC Jiangsu Center to strengthen cooperation and jointly promote the development of legal and arbitration community.

During the discussions, Director Ji Wenxian also briefed about the general situation, professional development and lawyers training of Lianyungang lawyers. Vice President Gu Yan exchanged opinions with the representatives of law firms on issues such as property preservation, the arbitrators’ capacity building and training, and the award review system. Both sides also discussed about further establishing a long-term communication mechanism and jointly creating a legalized business environment for the Free Trade Zone.

Wang Yang, Director of the Legal Department of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (“CCPIT”) Jiangsu Sub-Council, Shen Xuezhu, Deputy Director of CCPIT Lianyungang Committee , Liu Juan, principal staff member of CCPIT Lianyungang Committee, Tang Yinhong, Deputy Secretary General of CIETAC Jiangsu Center, Sun Jing and Li Xinyu, staff members of CIETAC Jiangsu Center, also participated in the discussions.