On the afternoon of 28 May 2025, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), in collaboration with the Dutch Arbitration Association (DAA) and Staunch Netherlands, successfully hosted an international arbitration seminar in Amsterdam. The event, themed “Recent Developments in International Arbitration within the Context of Chinese and Dutch Cultures: Enforcement of Awards and Integration of Mediation Arbitration,” featured Mr Wang Chengjie, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of CIETAC, alongside Mr Rufus Abeln, Council Member of the Dutch Arbitration Association and Partner at Lemstra van der Korst, who attended and addressed the gathering. The seminar drew arbitrators from the Netherlands and other regions. Mr Wang Chengjie, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of CIETAC, and Mr Rufus Abeln, Council Member of the Dutch Arbitration Association and Partner at Lemstra van der Korst, attended the event an delivered opening addresses. The conference drew nearly 40 professionals from the Netherlands, including arbitrators, solicitors, corporate counsel, academics, and representatives from arbitration institutions.

(At the seminar venue)

In his address, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie elaborated on the seminar's theme, sharing from a cross-cultural perspective the CIETAC's consistent endeavours to integrate and innovate its arbitration rules and practices to meet the needs of parties from diverse legal and cultural backgrounds. He highlighted CIETAC's commitment to inclusivity, openness and diversity through the internationalisation of its arbitrator roster, the global composition of its case parties, and the multifaceted dispute resolution services it provides. Rufus Abeln provided a concise overview of the Netherlands Arbitration Association and the current state of arbitration in the Netherlands. He expressed a strong willingness to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese arbitration community, represented by CIETAC, particularly in institutional dialogue between the two bodies, with a view to achieving mutual learning and exchange in the field of arbitration.

The seminar explored two key topics: “The Enforcement of Arbitration Awards Overseas” and “Exploring the Integration of Mediation and Arbitration Across Different Jurisdictions”. Mr Bian Cheng of Staunch Solicitors chaired both sessions.

On Topic One, Mr Ma Zhihua, Arbitrator at CIETAC and Partner at Dahua Law Firm, emphasised in his address the favourable track record of foreign arbitral awards being recognised and enforced in China, alongside the supportive stance of Chinese courts—particularly the Supreme People's Court—towards international arbitration. This demonstrates China's commitment to strictly fulfilling its obligations as a signatory to the New York Convention. Ms Mirjam van de Hel-Koedoot, Partner at Loyens Loeff, provided a detailed analysis of the Dutch courts' approach to international arbitral awards and their enforcement mechanisms.

(Panel discussion moderator and speakers, from left to right: Bian Cheng, Solicitor at Staunch Law Firm; Mirjam van de Hel-Koedoot, Partner at Loyens Loeff; Ma Zhihua, CIETAC Arbitrator and Partner at Dahui Law Firm)

During the thematic dialogue session, Ms Lu Fei, Director of CIETAC's Development Department, drew upon CIETAC's research findings concerning dispute resolution for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas. She elucidated the cultural origins and practical significance of CIETAC's pioneering practice of integrating arbitration with mediation, analysing its effective promotion of efficient and high-quality cross-border dispute resolution. Ms Roelien van den Berg, Partner at Avizor Advocates & Arbitrators, and Mr Stefan Derksen, Partner at Staunch Advocaten, remarked during the discussion that while no comparable practice currently exists in Europe, its demonstrated efficiency and flexibility in resolving disputes between parties merits consideration. They noted that this approach offers valuable reference points for the development of dispute resolution in the Netherlands and across Europe.

(Panel discussion moderator and speakers, from left to right: Bian Cheng, Solicitor at Staunch Solicitors; Lu Fei, Director of Business Development at CIETAC; Roelien van den Berg, Partner at Avizor Advocates & Arbitrators; and Stefan Derksen, Partner at Staunch Solicitors)

Following the proceedings, the CIETAC delegation engaged in extensive discussions with attendees, facilitating in-depth exchanges on China's distinctive dispute resolution practices. Participants unanimously acknowledged that the seminar had deepened their understanding of and interest in China's arbitration system, expressing hopes for further strengthening cooperation and exchanges between the legal communities of China and Europe in the future.

(Interaction session)

On the same day, the CIETAC delegation also held discussions with representatives from the Netherlands Arbitration Association and Staunch Law Firm. Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on how arbitration associations and legal practitioners could fully leverage their roles in promoting the development of international dispute resolution systems and facilitating the efficient resolution of cross-border disputes between China and the Netherlands.