On July 8, 2021, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and Madrid International Arbitration Center (MIAC) held an online signing ceremony for the Cooperation Agreement. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Sectary General of CIETAC, and José Antonio Caínzos, Chairman of MIAC, signed the Cooperation Agreement on behalf of both institutions. The head of International Relations of the Madrid Bar Association also attended the signing ceremony.

Under the Cooperation Agreement, the two institutions will extensively cooperate in various areas of international commercial arbitration, including mutual promotion of international arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution mechanisms, mutual usage of hearing facilities, mutual recommendation of arbitrators, jointly organizing international arbitration seminars, academic salons and trainings, to promote the development of dispute resolution systems of China and Spain.

Secretary General Wang Chengjie pointed out in the signing ceremony that, the close cooperation between CIETAC and the MIAC is of great significance. As the first arbitration institution in China, CIETAC has always been committed to providing professional, efficient and high-quality dispute resolution services for users across various jurisdictions. In CIETAC’s recent release of the “Panel of Arbitrators” list, there are five Spanish arbitrators, in whose capacity shall provide Spanish and global parties with a fair, efficient, extensive arbitration services. Wang further emphasized the important role of the “Belt and Road” Initiative in today’s globalization climate, and introduced the Beijing Joint Declaration of the “Belt and Road” Arbitration Institutions jointly issued by CIETAC and more than 40 Chinese and overseas dispute resolution institutions. Wang expects that the two institutions would strengthen cooperation and become long-term partners. In addition, Wang introduced to MIAC the recent international seminar jointly organized by CIETAC and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, which was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.

Chairman José Antonio Caínzos shared that, MIAC is gradually recovering from the pandemic, the number of cases received by MIAC has also returned to an increasing rate. Having been established in 2020,  MIAC is a merger of the Spanish Court of Arbitration, the Madrid Arbitration Court and the Madrid Civil and Commercial Arbitration Court. MIAC has since become the largest international arbitration center in Spain. The signing of the Cooperation Agreement with CIETAC is beneficial to both institutions and dispute resolution services users in both countries. Since the implementation of “Belt and Road” initiative, many Chinese enterprises have started doing business in Spain.  The increased economic and trade exchanges and cooperation will inevitably lead to an increase of legal disputes, CIETAC and MIAC could provide arbitration services for users from both countries to resolve disputes. As such the Cooperation Agreement could form a joint force under both institutions’ efforts, promote the development of international economy and trade, and improve the standards of international arbitration services.

The signing of the Cooperation Agreement will further enhance CIETAC and MIAC’s understanding of both sides. Under the Cooperation Agreement, both institutions will conduct cooperation on deeper levels so as to promote international arbitration. 

Ms. Lu Fei, Deputy Director of CIETAC Business Development Department, attended the signing ceremony.