On 27 September 2024, 2024 China Arbitration Week series event titled "Seat of Arbitration: Discovering the Fundamentals of lnternational Trade and Investment Disputes", jointly organized by China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and supported by Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) was successfully held in Beijing. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC, and Dato’ Lim Thiam Suan, Director of AIAC, attended the event and delivered speeches respectively.

Secretary General Wang Chengjie pointed out that in recent years, China's economic, trade and investment exchanges with ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, have been increasing. Cross-border commercial disputes have also shown a trend of diversification. As an internationally accepted commercial dispute resolution mechanism, international arbitration not only needs to demonstrate high efficiency and professionalism, but also seek further cooperation and innovation among arbitration institutions. The joint organization of CIETAC and AIAC not only reflects the friendly relationship between the two institutions but also represents concrete and pragmatic effort by both parties to promote international arbitration cooperation. Additionally, it provides a platform for domestic and foreign arbitration legal professionals to exchange ideas and share experience.

(Secretary General Wang Chengjie delivering the speech)

Dato’ Lim Thiam Suan noted that CIETAC and AIAC are both international arbitration institutions situated in the Asia-Pacific region, with a broad foundation for cooperation in promoting alternative dispute resolution services. She expressed her hope for both parties to promote the interaction and cooperation between the two institutions and to encourage the exchanges and understanding between China and Malaysia in the field of arbitration through this joint event.

(Dato’ Lim Thiam Suan delivering the speech)

The first discussion was themed "Multi-Party Cross-Border Disputes: Reservation of a Seat of Arbitration" and was co-chaired by Goh Slang Joo,  partner of Goh Cheah & Chong, and Huang Weiqian, Senior Case Counsel of AIAC. The speakers conducted in-depth discussions on how to choose the seat of arbitration and the factors that influence this choice. 

(From left to right, from top to bottom: Goh Slang Joo, partner of Goh Cheah & Chong, Chen Cong, senior partner of Beijing Tiantai Law Firm and CIETAC arbitrator, TAN Chong Lii, partner of Construction and Arbitration Department of MESSRS Y KONG, WONG & PARTNERS, Wu Ming, senior partner of Dentons (Shanghai) law firm, Zhang Yulin, director of Beijing Linli law firm and CIETAC arbitrator, Huang Weiqian, Senior Case Counsel of AIAC)

The second discussion was entitled “From Investment to Trade Disputes: Frontier of the Economic Silk Road”. Co-chaired by Dato' Dhanaraj Vasudevan, Managing Partner of KAMIL HASHIM RAJ & LIM (KHRL) in Malaysia, and Crystal Wong Wai Chin, Partner of Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill in Malaysia, the speakers addressed the legal issues surrounding trade and investment disputes between China and Malaysia under the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative and shared their practical experiences.

(From left to right, from top to bottom: Dato' Dhanaraj Vasudevan, Managing Partner of KAMIL HASHIM RAJ & LIM (KHRL) Law Firm in Malaysia, Liu Yang, Partner of Haiwen Law Firm, Tang Minli, Partner of AllBright Law Offices, Yang Fan, Director of Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution Division of CIETAC, Zhang Xin, Partner of Beijing Global Law Office and CIETAC arbitrator, Crystal Wong Wai Chin, Partner of Lee Hishammuddin Allen &Gledhill Law Firm in Malaysia)

The joint event focused on professional topics in the field of international arbitration. Practitioners from different jurisdictions and industry backgrounds in the arbitration industry of China and Malaysia engaged in a lively discussion regarding "seat of arbitration" and other issues. In the future, CIETAC will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the international arbitration community, contributing to the advancement and development of international arbitration.