On December 10, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) held the meetings of arbitrators in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in Hong Kong. The meeting was attended by more than 30 arbitrators from various industries in Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, including law firms, enterprises, universities and industry associations. Notable participants included Yuan Guoqiang, the former Chief Secretary of Hong Kong Department of Justice, Wang Zezuo, the President of Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, Guo Yingmei, the President of the Macau Arbitration Association, and Wang Yu, the General Counsel of China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd (CIMC).
Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC, begin by outlining the case statistics and overall development of CIETAC. The efforts in enhancing the credibility and building a world-class arbitration institution was highlighted, particularly through the active participation in the construction of the Greater Bay Area and initiatives to promote the exchange of arbitration legal community among Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR. He emphasized that, in the new era, arbitration plays an increasing prominent role in coordinating cross-border legal frameworks and contributing to international governance. He noted that arbitration is not only a widely recognized dispute resolution mechanism, but also carries the historical mission of safeguarding the stable development of the international economic and trade order, along with building a fair and reasonable new international order.
During the arbitrators’ remarks session, three arbitrators from Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR shared their insights. Xu Sanqiao from Yi & Partners, drew on his experience in handling cases at CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center. He shared on how arbitral tribunals can effectively use procedural orders to improve efficiency, as well as the collaboration and mutual exchange between arbitrators from different legal jurisdictions. Wang Qiangyi, Counsel at CK Hutchison Property Group Co., Ltd., addressed the needs of enterprises in dispute resolution. He focused on the development of arbitration system and the growth of arbitration practice, underlying the importance of leveraging the role of CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center in the internationalization and in building the credibility for arbitration in the Greater Bay Area. Guo Yingmei, President of the Macau Arbitration Association, shared the current state and strengths of arbitration in Macao. She called for the establishment of a resource-sharing mechanism for arbitrators across the three regions and the creation of a cross-border arbitration cooperation platform. This, she noted, would integrate the arbitration resources in Guangdong, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR, enhancing the international competitiveness and influence of CIETAC.
During the open discussion, the participating arbitrators highly approved CIETAC’s achievements in recent years. They engaged in in-depth discussions on issues such as procedural efficiency, the quality of arbitral awards, consistency of the awards in similar cases, recusal and disclosure, the drafting of arbitral awards, the standards for online hearings, and the professional ethics of arbitrators. Participants also provided targeted suggestions on how arbitration can contribute to the rule of law in the Greater Bay Area, strengthen legal talent development, and promote the integration across the three regions.
At the end of the meeting, Secretary General Wang Chengjie gave the summary. He noted that the suggestions offered by the participating arbitrators ranged from top-level design to case-specific practices, has provided valuable and constructive input for CIETAC’s development in the Greater Bay Area. He emphasized that CIETAC’s achievements would not have been possible without the dedication and efforts of its arbitrators. Currently, the CIETAC Panel of Arbitrator includes 215 arbitrators from the Greater Bay Area. He called on arbitrators to uphold integrity, maintain independence and impartiality, and remain diligent and conscientious. He urged to apply the updated CIETAC Arbitration Rules and Evidence Guidelines accurately in cases. Beyond the handling of cases, he further encouraged arbitrators to embrace their broader responsibilities, seize the historic opportunities presented by CIETAC arbitration and the legal development of China in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Arbitrators can help leverage the advantages of arbitration system to contribute to the rule of law in the Greater Bay Area and position the region as the leading hub for dispute resolution services.
The meeting was productive, with in-depth discussions and warm atmosphere . Wang Haocheng, Deputy Secretary General of CIETAC Hong Kong Center, attended the meeting.
