Distinguished members of the judging panel and experts,

Dear mooties, dear students,

And friends who have shown interest and support for the "CIETAC Cup" and are attending the ceremony online or offline

Good evening!

Tonight, under the dazzling lights, we are here to celebrate the successful conclusion of the finals of the 23rd "CIETAC Cup", to witness the triumphant moments of the award-winning teams and individual contestants! On behalf of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the contestants who have pursued their dreams and strive for excellence in the competition! I would also like to express my deepest respect to all the judges, coaches, staff, and volunteers for their dedicated efforts. Furthermore, my heartfelt gratitude goes to all sectors of society that have consistently provided strong support for the development of this event.

Over the past twenty-three years, the torch of the "CIETAC Cup" has been passed down from generation to generation, spreading far and wide like a prairie fire. As a pioneer and witness to the "CIETAC Cup" from its inception, I still vividly remember the original aspiration in the early winter of year 2000. At that time, China was on the verge of joining the World Trade Organization, yet the field of foreign-related arbitration was in severe shortage of talent. Responding to the needs of the era and the country, CIETAC, shouldering the mission of promoting high-quality development of arbitration in China and armed with an international vision that blended Eastern and Western perspectives, embarked on a journey across universities in Beijing. Holding the English competition problem and hand-drawn competition schedules, CIETAC introduced, for the first time, the internationally sophisticated competition practice and teaching philosophy to domestic law schools. Ultimately, six universities responded and participated, igniting the first spark of arbitration moot on the map of cultivating international arbitration talent in China.

From six teams to fierce competition among hundreds of schools, and from a local event in the Beijing to a globally recognized spectacle, the 23-year journey of the "CIETAC Cup" mirrors China's arbitration's evolution from following to keeping pace with, and ultimately leading the international practice. It also represents a magnificent chapter in cultivating legal talents with an international perspective. The second edition of the CIETAC Cup broke regional barriers, bringing together students from 14 universities across the country. In 2012, the application of CIETAC rules in the Vis Moot marked the global recognition of Chinese arbitration rules. In 2021, the innovative online competition format attracted a vast number of international students, creating a grand platform for young legal talents from China and abroad to engage in both competition and cultural exchange. That same year, the "CIETAC Cup Alumni Association" was established, and the "Voice of the Moot" training series was launched, harnessing the expertise of global talents to fulfill the original intention of "promoting learning through competition" with professionalism and dedication. This year's event has reached new heights: Over 1,000 contestants from 103 law schools across countries and regions, including Egypt, Kazakhstan, the UK, Hungary, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China), competed on the same stage, with 221 thrilling matches conducted in a "hybrid online-offline" format. Notably, a team from the University College London (UCL) Law School traveled thousands of miles to participate in Beijing and is present here tonight—welcome! The event received joint support from 23 international arbitration institutions, with over 240 professionals from 27 countries and regions serving as judges. Nine episodes of the "Voice of Moot" training series drew a total of over 90,000 participation, the elimination rounds and finals in Beijing attracted over 1 million watches online, setting new records in both scale and internationalization. Over the past 23 years, more than 20,000 students have polished their skills here, with outstanding alumni now thriving in leading universities, top law firms, government departments, arbitration institutions, and multinational corporations worldwide, becoming pivotal forces in global governance!

The significance of the "CIETAC Cup" extends far beyond being a grand and meticulously organized international competition. It serves as the "primary training camp" for international arbitration talents, having cultivated tens of thousands of professionals over the past twenty-three years and solidifying the foundation of the legal workforce. It acts as a "pioneer" in reforming China's legal education, taking the lead in integrating case oriented teaching with practical training models, and providing a replicable and effective pathway for innovation in universities. It functions as an "accelerator" for arbitration development, pioneering a collaborative bridge between the practical and educational community for talent cultivation. Today, various arbitration competitions have flourished nationwide, becoming a widespread trend. Moreover, it stands as China's "invitation" and "international business card" to the world, enabling Chinese young talents to step onto the global stage and allowing the world to learn more about China's arbitration.

My point is, this remarkable achievement has not come easily—it stands as a monument forged through the united efforts of everyone. To our fellow colleagues in universities, thank you for your tireless dedication on the frontlines and unwavering support. You are the roots that nourish talent. To our global judges, thank you for your fair, rigorous evaluations and insightful guidance. You are the soul of this competition. 

To our expert teams who analyzed the problem, mentored judges, and evaluated written submissions, thank you for your steadfast support. You are the shield that upholds excellence. To our contestants who have dedicated your time to this mission, honing your skills and showcasing your brilliance, thank you for carrying the torch forward. You are the lifeblood of our legacy. To all friends from every sector of society who have joined hands and offered your full support, thank you for being the wind beneath our wings. And most profoundly, to our CIETAC colleagues and all staff members who have worked selflessly, with relentless pursuit of perfection—you are the heart and soul of the intergenerational legacy - building!

Dear colleagues and friends,

Now, the grand blueprint of China's 15th Five-Year Plan has been fully unfolded. In today's world with deepening economic globalization, accelerating the improvement of cross-border legal service and refining international commercial arbitration mechanisms are not only an inherent requirement for China's own high-quality development but also an important responsibility for us to respond to the demands of global economic and trade cooperation and jointly safeguard the international economic order. The "CIETAC Cup," with 23 years of dedicated efforts, has long become a pivotal platform for fulfilling this mission and shouldering this responsibility.

I have had the privilege of witnessing the development journey of China's arbitration, from scale expansion to quality enhancement and from regional influence to global attention. I am increasingly convinced that only by solidifying the foundation of the rule of law and cultivating top-tier talents can we provide more reliable rule-based guarantees for global economic and trade exchanges and inject more lasting confidence and impetus into the world economic recovery. I also firmly believe that the new generation of CIETAC will take this competition as a new starting point and further refine its international quality, optimize its professional standards, and solidify its educational effectiveness in the future, allowing the value of the "CIETAC Cup" to be released in a more sustained manner.

Finally, may all the arbitration practitioners stay true to their original aspirations, polish their skills, and shoulder responsibilities, setting sail and faring well on the stage of the times. May the "CIETAC Cup" pass on its torch from generation to generation, thrive endlessly, and compose new splendid chapters in the development of the arbitration cause!

Thank you all! May everyone enjoy a wonderful evening!