On October 20-21, 2025, during its time in Hong Kong SAR attending the inauguration ceremony of the International Organization for Mediation, a delegation from the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) conducted a series of exchange visits to several renowned international law firms, including Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP and Sidley Austin LLP. The delegation also called on the Hong Kong Representative Office of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and China Patent Agent (Hong Kong) Ltd. (CPA Hong Kong).

Li Lianjun, Senior Partner at Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP, who serves as Founding Member, Director, Honorary Legal Advisor of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and Chairman of its Maritime Services Committee, along with Donald Sham, Partner at the same firm, warmly received the delegation led by Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC. Zhang Yan and Desmond Ang, Partners and Co-Heads of the Hong Kong Litigation Practice at Sidley Austin LLP received the delegation at their firm. The parties exchanged views on topics including innovation in arbitration services and new trends in the development of international arbitration practices. Secretary General Wang Chengjie introduced CIETAC's latest advancements in pioneering rule innovations and international exchanges and cooperation in recent years. He particularly highlighted CIETAC's practical achievements in enhancing its international arbitration service capabilities and aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules. The attending lawyers expressed their high recognition of CIETAC's professionalism and credibility in the field of international arbitration. They conveyed their hope to strengthen future exchanges and collaboration, working together to contribute to the creation of an internationalized, rule-of-law-based business environment.

The CIETAC delegation also held exchange meetings with Wu Yuhe, General Manager, and Xiong Yanfeng, Deputy General Manager of China Patent Agent (Hong Kong) Ltd. (CPA Hong Kong). Additionally, discussions were conducted with Li Peng, Chief Representative, Zhong Cen, Representative, and Xu Mingyue, Representative of the CCPIT Hong Kong Representative Office. The talks centered on the legal service needs of Chinese mainland-funded enterprises in Hong Kong and how CCPIT's legal services, including commercial arbitration, can effectively support Hong Kong in fully realizing its roles as the "eight major centers."