On 29 May, to gain deeper insights into the development of Chinese enterprises in the Netherlands and Europe alongside their legal service requirements, and to better support Chinese enterprises in their international expansion while implementing the national Belt and Road Initiative, Wang Chengjie, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), led a CIETAC delegation in organising a symposium for Chinese enterprises in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. The symposium was attended by representatives from Chinese enterprises operating in the Netherlands across multiple sectors, including finance, international logistics, new energy, mobile communications, machinery manufacturing, air transport, and legal services.

During the symposium, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie outlined CIETAC's diversified, specialised and international dispute resolution services, which are tailored to client needs. He also highlighted the international exchange and cooperation platforms and extensive service networks established to support Chinese enterprises in their global expansion. He explained that the purpose of CIETAC's delegation visiting Europe was precisely to gather extensive feedback on enterprises' overseas operational requirements and suggestions, thereby providing robust legal support for their secure market operations and risk prevention abroad.

(At the symposium for Chinese enterprises in the Netherlands)

Representatives from participating enterprises shared insights into their respective industries, detailing their business operations in the Netherlands or Europe, the challenges and pain points encountered during overseas operations, and their requirements for cross-border dispute resolution. They engaged in in-depth discussions with the delegation on specific issues such as the selection of arbitration institutions, the applicable arbitration law, and the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards abroad.

Members of the delegation addressed each specific query raised by corporate representatives in turn, providing detailed responses. They outlined CIETAC's integrated legal services approach, which combines international arbitration best practices with the institution's nearly seven decades of case management expertise. This was illustrated through explanations covering case management models, recent developments in arbitration rules, the composition of the arbitrator panel, and the application of arbitration languages and governing laws.

Participants unanimously acknowledged that the growing strength of China's arbitration institutions undoubtedly enhances enterprises' bargaining power in overseas negotiations. The insights conveyed at this symposium proved both timely and practical, greatly encouraging representatives from overseas companies. The judicious selection of dispute resolution mechanisms offers reassurance, enabling businesses to resolve legal risks efficiently, economically and conveniently.

During their stay in the Netherlands, the CIETAC delegation conducted visits and held discussions with the European headquarters of Hikvision, a global leader in security products and solutions; the Dutch subsidiary of Sany Heavy Industry, China's foremost engineering machinery manufacturer and a global top-50 player in the sector; the Amsterdam branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the largest financial institution in China and a pillar of the nation's financial system; the Belt and Road International Commercial Mediation Centre (The Hague); and the European Energy Storage Association. Extensive research was conducted and feedback gathered on the business development and legal service requirements of representative Chinese enterprises in Europe. The delegation introduced CIETAC's diversified dispute resolution ‘toolkit’ to enterprises, providing professional, specific, and timely advice and recommendations. Participants in the discussions and interviewed enterprises unanimously expressed that gaining a deeper understanding of the advantages of arbitration in resolving international commercial disputes, alongside CIETAC's diversified and international arbitration services, has tangibly enhanced Chinese enterprises' risk management capabilities and resilience in overseas investment and operations.

(Delegation members listened to a presentation by Hikvision's European representative)

(CIETAC delegation holds discussions with Sany's Dutch subsidiary)

(Site Visit to the Amsterdam Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)

Fu Danzhou, Vice President of the Hunan Provincial Sub-Council of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; Lu Fei, Director of the CIETAC Development Division; and Lu Yahan, Deputy Director of the Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution Division, accompanied the delegation during the aforementioned symposium and research activities.