On June 13, on the occasion of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the release of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South, with an aim to strengthen high-level communications and cooperation in the field of arbitration between China and Africa, advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to greater depth and solid results, and promote the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, the unveiling ceremony of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center hosted by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and the China-Africa International Arbitration Cooperation Conference jointly organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Hunan Sub-council, the High People's Court of Hunan Province, the Justice Department of Hunan Province, the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, and Xiangtan University, were successfully held in Changsha, Hunan. Zhou Nong, Vice Chairman and Member of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress, H.E. Sinisa. Berjan, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, and Zhu Yu, President of the High People's Court of Hunan Province, addressed the opening ceremony. Yang Aiyun, Chairperson and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the CCPIT Hunan Sub-council, presided over the opening ceremony. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CIETAC, presided over the unveiling ceremony of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center and delivered a keynote speech.

The conference was attended by representatives from African diplomatic missions in China, heads of relevant international organizations such as the African Arbitration Association (AfAA), the African Arbitration Promotion Association (APAA), the International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Institutions (IFCAI), and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Center, main heads and representatives from important African dispute resolution institutions including the Court of Arbitration and Mediation of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (CAM-CCIMC), the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, the Libyan Center for International Commercial Arbitration, the Court of Arbitration of Côte d'Ivoire, the Institute for Sino Africa Legal Aid and Arbitration in Ghana, and Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, experts and scholars from world-renowned universities such as Villanova University (USA) and the Egyptian Chinese University, prominent arbitrators, mediators, and legal experts from countries like Ethiopia and South Africa, as well as representatives from Hunan provincial departments and the CCPIT system, court representatives, university scholars, foreign-related lawyers, chief in-house counsel, and senior executives of foreign-related enterprises—with a total of more than 340 people on site. The conference was live-streamed in Chinese, English, and French, attracting over 2.3 million online viewers from more than 10 countries and regions.  

(Conference Venue)  

Zhou Nong, Vice Chairman and Member of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress, stated in his speech that the establishment of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center and the successful holding of this conference are important measures for Hunan to deepen rule of law cooperation with Africa and enhance its international commercial dispute resolution capabilities, which will surely upgrade the rule of law in Hunan to a new level. He hoped that by making full use of the policy and location advantages of the Hunan Free Trade Zone, the Trial Center will provide more solid legal guarantees for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and contribute new forces to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.  

(Vice Chairman Zhou Nong delivers a speech at the opening ceremony)  

H.E. Sinisa. Berjan, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, stated in his speech that in the current global economic and trade situation, strengthening international economic, trade and investment cooperation is particularly important. As a globally accepted dispute resolution method, arbitration plays an irreplaceable role in efficiently resolving commercial disputes. The set-up of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center and the convening of this conference come at the right time, building an important platform for strengthening international dialogue and exchanges, playing a positive role in promoting international economic and trade development, and constructing a fair and reasonable global governance system.  

 (Ambassador H.E. Sinisa. Berjan delivers a speech at the opening ceremony)  

Zhu Yu, President of the High People's Court of Hunan Province, pointed out in his speech that the High People's Court of Hunan has always attached great importance to foreign-related commercial trial work, adjudicated foreign-related commercial cases fairly and efficiently in accordance with the law, and strived to provide high-quality judicial guarantees for China-Africa economic and trade activities. In the future, by taking the opportunity of establishing a litigation-arbitration coordination mechanism with CIETAC, the High People's Court of Hunan will further strengthen the support for and supervision of arbitration, support the construction of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center, help improve the China-Africa international arbitration cooperation mechanism, and provide strong judicial services for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.  

(President Zhu Yu delivers a speech at the opening ceremony)  

Against the backdrop of deepening China-Africa friendly cooperation and  increasingly close China-Africa economic and trade ties, in order to further provide high-quality and efficient dispute resolution services to Chinese and foreign parties, foster China-Africa arbitration and rule of law communications and cooperation, and advance the service system for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, CIETAC officially established the China-Africa Trial Center in Changsha, Hunan. The unveiling ceremony of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center was held at the conference, presided over by Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CIETAC.  

 (Secretary-General Wang Chengjie presides over the unveiling ceremony of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center)  

H.E. Sinisa. Berjan, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, Zhou Nong, Vice Chairman and Member of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress, Zhu Yu, President of the High People's Court of Hunan Province, Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CIETAC, Yang Aiyun, Chairperson and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the CCPIT Hunan Sub-council, Li Zhong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and General Director of the Justice Department of Hunan Province, Gaston KENFACK DOUAJNI, President of AfAA and APAA, Council Member of IFCAI, and Saad Bensharrada, Director-General of the Libyan Center for International Commercial Arbitration, Mediator, and Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Supreme Council of State, jointly unveiled the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center. The audience applauded loudly in congratulations.  

(Leaders and representatives from China and Africa institutions attending the unveiling ceremony, from left to right: Director-General Saad Bensharrada, General Director Li Zhong, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie, Ambassador H.E. Sinisa. Berjan, Vice Chairman Zhou Nong, President Zhu Yu, Chairperson Yang Aiyun, President Gaston KENFACK DOUAJNI)  

The establishment of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center has built a new platform for resolving China-Africa economic and trade disputes, constructed an important bridge for China-Africa arbitration and legal exchanges and cooperation, provided strong legal guarantees for creating an international business environment in the pilot zone, and represents a vivid legal practice of building a new-era all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future. It is an important measure to advance the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation in the new era, build a new highland for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and support the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative for steady and sustained progress. In the future, relying on the China-Africa Trial Center, CIETAC will work with all parties to promote China-Africa arbitration cooperation to a higher level and broader fields, and play its due role in serving the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and the transformation and upgrading of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.  

To strengthen communications, mutual learning, and practical cooperation among China-Africa dispute resolution institutions and deliver high-level dispute resolution services, CIETAC signed cooperation agreements with two representative African dispute resolution institutions, namely the Court of Arbitration and Mediation of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (CAM-CCIMC) and the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb). The cooperation agreements cover joint research projects, co-organized training activities, mutual recommendation of arbitrators, mutual use of hearing facilities, and the establishment of information sharing platforms, further expanding the breadth and depth of China-Africa arbitration cooperation and injecting new impetus into forging a China-Africa arbitration legal community featuring collaborative development and common prosperity.  

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie signs the cooperation agreement on behalf of CIETAC with ABUNAW ENAW Gilbert, President of CAM-CCIMC)  

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie signs the cooperation agreement on behalf of CIETAC with Shola OSHODI-JOHN, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NICArb)

To give full play to CIETAC's advantages in diversified resolution of foreign-related commercial disputes and help Hunan's high-level opening-up, CIETAC signed a cooperation agreement with the High People's Court of Hunan Province on establishing a litigation-arbitration coordination mechanism. The two sides will establish a cooperative model of information sharing, business collaboration, and complementary advantages to jointly forge an arbitration-friendly judicial environment, effectively meet the diversified dispute resolution needs of Chinese and foreign parties, and create a fairer and more transparent international business environment for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.  

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie signs the cooperation agreement on behalf of CIETAC with Dong Lan, Vice President in charge of routine work of the High People’s Court of Hunan Province)  

Subsequently, CIETAC signed a cooperation agreement with the High People's Court of Hunan Province, CCPIT Hunan Sub-council, and Xiangtan University on the joint establishment of the African Law Ascertainment Center to effectively address prominent issues such as asymmetric legal information and significant differences in judicial practice encountered by China-Africa commercial entities in economic and trade exchanges, so as to facilitate the connectivity of China-Africa economic and trade arbitration rules, and to further enhance the ability of China-Africa enterprises in preventing and resolving legal risks.  

(Signing representatives from left to right: Yin Xiaoli, Member of the Adjudication Committee of the High People's Court of Hunan Province, Chairperson Yang Aiyun, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie, Liao Yongan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Xiangtan University)  

Xiangtan University released the Report on Legal Environment of African Guest-of-Honor Countries, and CCPIT Hunan Sub-council and the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province jointly released the Hunan Foreign Trade and Economic Commercial Contract Model Texts and Hunan International Commercial Dispute Resolution “One-stop” Model Clauses. These achievements are systematic legal risk prevention tools tailored for enterprises "going global", and are important practices for optimizing the international business environment, building a highland for reform and opening-up in inland areas, and enhancing Hunan's discourse power in international commercial rules. 

(Li Shichun, Dean of the School of Law of Xiangtan University, releases the report)

(Fu Danzhou, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairperson of the CCPIT Hunan Sub-council, and Yao Zhen, Member of the Party Leadership Group of Department of Commerce of Hunan Province jointly release the model text)

At the conference, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie made a keynote speech under the theme of "Deepening China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and Escorting High-quality Development with the Rule of Law". In view of the current development status of China-Africa arbitration, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie offered an overview of CIETAC's distinctive advantages in resolving China-Africa disputes in terms of revising arbitration rules, providing high-level arbitration services, fostering the cultivation of rule-of-law talents, deepening China-Africa arbitration communications, and expanding international cooperation fields. He explained the great significance of CIETAC in building China-Africa Trial Center and serving the China-Africa economic and trade. He pointed out that the current China-Africa economic and trade cooperation demonstrates a clear growth momentum, containing huge demands from market entities for high-level dispute resolution services. At the same time, China-Africa economic, trade and investment is highly complex and faces multiple challenges, putting forward higher requirements for dispute resolution services. To promote the greater role of arbitration in China-Africa economic and trade, it is essential to adhere to the fairness and efficiency of arbitration and offer higher-quality dispute resolution services; cultivate a fertile soil for China-Africa arbitration talents and lay a solid foundation for the development of the international arbitration cause; deepen China-Africa communications and cooperation in the field of law, and build an open and inclusive China-Africa arbitration ecosystem. He looked forward to all parties coming together, deepening cooperation, escorting high-quality development of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation with the rule of law, and making new and greater contributions to building a new-era all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.  

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie delivers a keynote speech)

In the thematic speech session, Gaston KENFACK DOUAJNI, President of AfAA and APAA, Council Member of IFCAI, and CIETAC Arbitrator, shared development experience of African arbitration and China-Africa cooperation prospects; Guo Zhenghuai, Vice President of High People's Court of Hunan Province, expounded on the judicial support for and collaboration with China-Africa arbitration; and Christopher ADEBAYO OJO, Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Chairman of the International Center for Arbitration & Mediation Abuja (ICAMA), and CIETAC Arbitrator, briefed on the development needs and cooperation expectations of African arbitration.  

(Thematic speech guests from top to bottom: President Gaston KENFACK DOUAJNI, Vice President Guo Zhenghuai, Chairman Christopher ADEBAYO OJO)  

With the theme of "Interconnectivity, Shared Growth and Collaborative Innovation - The Innovative Development and Cooperation of China-Africa International Commercial Arbitration", 22 Chinese and foreign experts engaged in fruitful dialogues and exchanges in the roundtable discussion session.  

The first panel addressed "Collaborative Development of Regional Arbitration: Construction and Improvement of China-Africa Dispute Resolution Mechanism". The speakers shared and exchanged views on important issues such as how to break the information barrier between China and Africa in the field of arbitration, jointly explore a dispute resolution mechanism in line with China-Africa characteristics, promote higher-level collaboration between China and Africa in the field of dispute resolution, and offer more efficient, impartial, and professional arbitration services.  

(Moderator and speakers of the first session, from left to right: Lu Fei, Director of CIETAC Business Development Division; Won L. KIDANE, Professor of Law of Villanova University, CIETAC Arbitrator; Saad Bensharrada, Director General of the Libyan Center for International Commercial Arbitration, Mediator, and Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Supreme Council of State; Yang Jianwei, President of Hunan Lawyers Association; ABUNAW ENAW Gilbert, President of the Governing Board of CAM-CCIMC; Shola OSHODI-JOHN, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NICArb; Zhu Weidong, Director of Center for African Laws, China-Africa Institute (CAI), CASS; Ahmed IBRAHIM, Independent Arbitrator, Member of the Advisory Committee of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA); Dennis CAI, Deputy Director of AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Center; YAO Nanan Raoul, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Procedures, Court of Arbitration of Côte d'Ivoire; Maryam KAMARA, Director of Institute for Sino Africa Legal Aid and Arbitration in Ghana)

The second session was themed "Rule of Law Safeguarding the Belt and Road Initiative: Legal Practice and Cooperative Innovation in China-Africa Arbitration". The participating experts delved into China-Africa arbitration and legal practices under the background of the in-depth advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, systematically sorting out China-Africa dispute resolution experience and existing challenges by analyzing typical cases and cutting-edge achievements. In addition, the panelists proposed to explore a new China-Africa arbitration cooperation model with both practical value and international credibility, so as to build a solid legal foundation for the high-quality development of China-Africa economic and trade.  

(Moderator and speakers of the second session, from left to right: Cui Jun, Chairman of the Board of Beijing Overseas Junhe Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd., CIETAC Arbitrator; Said BENGANA, Director of Legal Affairs and Disputes, Secretariat of the Center for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mark David HAMMICK, Director of Kingsbourne (Pty) Ltd, CIETAC Experts for Construction Disputes Review; Fang Zheng, General Legal Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Hunan Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd, CIETAC Arbitrator; Cao Lixia, Chief Legal Counsel of Sany Group, CIETAC Arbitrator; Dr. Zewdineh Beyene HAILE, Managing Partner of ALG LLP; Hong Yonghong, President of China-Africa Institute for Business and Law of Xiangtan University; Lin Wei, Senior Partner of Zhong Lun W&D Law Firm; May EI SERAFY, Academic Director of Faculty of the Law, Egyptian Chinese University, Managing Partner of Serafy Law Firm; Wang Zhendong, Deputy Director for Africa and Regional Director for West Africa, Yingke Law Firm, Founding Partner of Yingke Nigeria; Ling Chen, Senior Partner and Management Committee Member of Jinzhou Law Firm, Head of Abuja Office, Jinzhou Law firm)

The one-day conference concluded with in-depth discussions and productive exchanges. Fu Danzhou, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairperson of the CCPIT Hunan Sub-council presided over the closing ceremony. Yang Aiyun, Chairperson and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the CCPIT Hunan Sub-council, delivered the closing speech. She pointed out that all parties should adhere to a global vision and deepen international rule of law communications and cooperation; pursue excellence and optimize international commercial arbitration services; and focus on the future and accelerate the digital empowerment of international commercial arbitration.  

(Chairperson Yang Aiyun delivers the closing speech)

The official inception of the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center and the successful holding of this conference are not only a grand event that sparks ideas, but also an important milestone in China-Africa economic and trade legal cooperation. Through in-depth dialogues and discussions, China and Africa have broken geographical and cultural barriers, jointly explore new mechanisms and models that meet China-Africa dispute resolution needs, connect and share leading international arbitration experience and practices. The two sides reach a broad consensus on strengthening practical cooperation among China-Africa dispute resolution institutions, promoting mutual learning and institutional connection of China-Africa dispute resolution rules, and fully leveraging the role of arbitration in escorting China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. The conference achieved complete success, injecting lasting legal momentum into high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a new-era all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.  

(Group photo of some Chinese and foreign participants)