On September 21, 2020, the fourth "TANG Lecture" organized by CIETAC during the 2020 China Arbitration Week was successfully held in Beijing. Mr. Wang Chengjie, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of CIETAC attended the event and delivered a welcome speech. Professor Wang Liming, Deputy Director of CIETAC, Chairman of the Civil Law Research Association of the Chinese Law Society, and Deputy Leader of the Leading Group of the Civil Code Codification Project of the Chinese Law Society, delivered a speech. Since the launch of the "TANG Lecture" in 2017, domestic and foreign arbitration practitioners in various fields have responded enthusiastically to the lecture. The work scene of Mr. Tang Houzhi's unremitting struggle for the arbitration business over 60 years has greatly inspired Chinese and foreign arbitration practitioners. The event was broadcast live simultaneously by the new media platform of CCTV-Channel of Society and Law .More than 7,000 viewers logged onto the event.

The event first played precious images of Mr. Tang Houzhi's interviews, work and life, and reviewed the glorious achievements of Mr. Tang Houzhi's great efforts in arbitration. For more than 60 years, Mr. Tang had devoted his life to the internationalization of Chinese arbitration. He has made important historical contributions to the promotion of China's accession to the "New York Convention", the formulation of Chinese "Arbitration Law", and the popularization of Chinese experience on "combination of mediation and arbitration" in the field of dispute resolution around the world. On March 2, 2020, Mr. Tang Houzhi passed away in Beijing at the age of 95. People from all walks of life at home and abroad spontaneously mourned and remembered the years of living and striving with him. Although he left us forever, his deep spirit will last long. When the familiar voice once again sounded in forum the venue, the guests present felt very missed.

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie pointed out that the contributions made by the older generation of arbitrators such as Mr. Tang to the development of Chinese arbitration and international arbitration, as well as their spirit of arduous struggle and courage, have always inspired the younger generations to work hard and forge ahead. He believes that since its inception, Tang Lecture has always adhered to the principle of "promoting arbitration culture, advocating the concept of rule of law, and facilitating arbitration communication", focused on hot issues of international arbitration laws, exchanged experiences on the development of international arbitration, and has become an industry-recognized communication platform. At the same time, the construction of Chinese legal system is closely related to the development of arbitration in China. In particular, the Civil Code promulgated this year will further escort the development of the arbitration system in China.

Afterwards, the lecturer Professor Wang Liming gave the talk "The Highlights and Application of the Contract Part of the Civil Code". He first clarified the important position of the Civil Code in the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, that is, a foudamental law that solidifies the foundation, stabilizes expectations, and benefits the long-term. Professor Wang Liming then further combined his practical experience and proposed fourteen system innovations and highlights of the contracting part of Civil Code, including the appointment contract system, the third party contract rules, the third party performance rules, and the non-effective contract system. He pointed out that the principle of Civil Code is to manage transactions, and the vitality of the "Civil Code" lies in its implementation. It is hoped that arbitrators, lawyers and other legal practitioners will profoundly and accurately understand the connotation of legal provisions and earnestly implement the Civil Code in practice.

As an important founder of Chinese arbitration business and an acknowledged master in the field of international arbitration, Mr. Tang Houzhi devoted his life to promoting the development of arbitration in China, improving the level of theoretical research in international arbitration, building an international platform of communication in the field of arbitration, and training the Chinese legal young talents. With the outstanding contribution and tremendous influence of Mr. Tang Houzhi in promoting the development of international arbitration and mediation, the "TANG Lecture" was launched for the first time during the 2017 China Arbitration Week and continues to this day. It has now become the platform through which domestic and foreign arbitration community can look forward to the future development of international arbitration.

Finally, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie made a concluding speech. He said that the Tang Lecture is a high-end international arbitration communication platform that is proposed by well-known figures in the international arbitration circle and is carefully built by CIETAC. Through this global platform, we shall actively develop arbitration culture, share the best practice experiences, and bring new ideas to the innovative development of international arbitration. We shall lead new practice with new ideas and lead new trends with new observations, keep promoting the innovative development of international arbitration, and give play to the efficiency and role of international arbitration in global rule of law governance.