On 12 November 2025, the third session of the “Voice of Moot” series of the 23rd “CIETAC Cup International Commercial Arbitration Moot”, the CIETAC–MAA joint event titled “From Winning to Practice: Strategies, Skills and Real-World Challenges”, was successfully held. The event was co-organized by China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and the Moot Alumni Association (MAA), with CIETAC Cup Alumni Association (CCAA) as supporting organization. It brought together a wide range of renowned arbitrators, experienced counsels and other practitioners in the field of international commercial arbitration for in-depth exchange and discussion.

MAA, established in Vienna, is the official alumni association of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis Moot). It is dedicated to promoting the Vis Moot, the Vis East Moot and other moot arbitration competitions, and to raising awareness of international arbitration and international trade law among different communities.

At the event, LU Fei, Director of the Business Development Division of CIETAC, Secretary General of the CIETAC European Arbitration Center and Vice President of CCAA, and Dr Christian Johannes Wahnschaffe, Vice President of MAA and Associate at ANEFELD,  delivered opening remarks on behalf of their respective organizations. Both sides noted that CIETAC and MAA have built a long-standing and solid basis for cooperation, and have jointly organized seminars under the “Voice of Moot” training series for five consecutive years, providing a platform for learning and exchange for moot participants. Director Lu Fei pointed out that since its launch in 2000, the CIETAC Cup has been committed to cultivating young talents in international commercial arbitration among law students, attracting tens of thousands of students who have grown through hands-on practice. This year’s competition has already drawn registrations from 103 teams from the United Kingdom, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Egypt, as well as the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, demonstrating the event’s steadily growing international influence. She stressed that CIETAC will take this event as an opportunity to further deepen coordination with MAA and other partners, refine the talent-training mechanism of “learning through competition and prompting practice by applying what is learned”, and contribute to the development of high-calibre foreign-related legal professionals and the high-quality development of international commercial dispute resolution.

 (Opening remarks by Director LU Fei and Vice President Christian Johannes Wahnschaffe)

Session 1

The session 1 was moderated by SUN Ling, Core Team Member of MAA China Project Team. Robert Cimmino, Associate at Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald LLP HAN Zheng, Partner at Jin Mao Law Firm, Eric Ng, Barrister-at-law at Prince’s Chambers, and YAO Yu, Partner at Beijing Huamao & Guigu Law Firm, spoke on the theme “Harnessing Authorities and Facts: Engaging Arbitrators for Maximum Impact”. Drawing on their practice, they analysed in depth issues such as the structure of written submissions and the use of authorities, the coordination of factual narratives and evidence, effective interaction with arbitral tribunals and strategies for oral advocacy, and shared insights on bridging the gap between moot competitions and practice. The first topic also featured a video addressed by Olga Boltenko, Barrister at Prince’s Chambers and Arbitrator of Maxwell Chambers, Singapore, on the above theme. 

 (From top to bottom, left to right: Ms. SUN Ling, Mr. Eric Ng,  Mr. Robert Cimmino, Mr. YAO Yu, Mr. HAN Zheng and Ms. Olga Boltenko)

Session 2

The second topic was moderated by MAO Qingyu, Case Manager of the Business Development Division of CIETAC. HE Weirong, Deputy Director of ICC Arbitration and ADR North Asia at ICC Dispute Resolution Services, LIU Fei, Deputy Director of the Business Development Division of CIETAC, Minn Naing Oo, Arbitrator and Mediator, and ZENG Ying, Partner at Han Kun Law Offices, engaged in a dialogue on the theme “From Moot to Practice: Real-World Arbitration Challenges and Skills Transfer”. From the perspectives of arbitral institutions, counsels and arbitrators, they offered a wealth of advice on how to enhance moot advocacy skills.

 (From top to bottom, left to right: Ms. ZENG Ying, Ms. LIU Fei, Mr. Minn Naing Oo, Ms. MAO Qingyu and Ms. HE Weirong)

The event attracted nearly 15,000 views via online live-streaming platform. This year’s “Voice of Moot” training series comprises 9 sessions in total, featuring MAA leaders and seasoned counsels with extensive experience in cross-border commercial dispute resolution. Focusing on practical issues such as oral advocacy in international arbitration, the interface between arbitration and court proceedings, arbitration in the context of sanctions and countervailing tariffs, preparation for international arbitration, drafting written submissions, evidentiary rules and corporate governance, the series provides systematic training and valuable learning resources and career inspiration for CIETAC Cup participants and young legal professionals, and fosters in-depth exchange and cooperation among members of the legal community.