On January 30, 2026, the 2025 Annual Meeting of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) was held in Beijing. The entire leadership team of CIETAC, and the staff of CIETAC and its sub commissions attended the meeting. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the achievements of 2025, analyzed the current landscape, and outlined key tasks and priorities for 2026. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman & Secretary-General of CIETAC, and President of CIETAC Arbitration Court, delivered the work report of 2025. The meeting was presided over by Xie Changqing, Vice President of CIETAC Arbitration Court. Gu Yan, Vice President CIETAC Arbitration Court, and Zou Yonggui, Discipline Inspection Secretary of CIETAC also attended the meeting.

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie delivered the work report)

Secretary-General Wang Chengjie pointed out that 2025 was a crucial year in accelerating the development of China as a new seat for international commercial arbitration. CIETAC continued to advance its strategic goal of building a world-class arbitration institutions. Guided by professional excellence and driven by digital and intelligent empowerment, CIETAC focused on meeting the increasingly diverse dispute resolution needs of both domestic and international parties. Through practical and sustained efforts, CIETAC further consolidated the foundations of arbitration independence and impartiality, improve a professional and efficient arbitration service system, and enhanced institutional development and team building. CIETAC expanded high-level international exchanges and cooperation, actively engaged in global dispute resolution and governance initiatives, accelerated the development of foreign-related legal professionals and think-tank capacity, and continued to enhancd the credibility of arbitration while expanding its international influence and leadership. CIETAC achieved new breakthroughs across its work and reached a new stage of high-quality development.

In 2025, CIETAC achieved another strong year in its arbitration caseload, with the total amount in dispute exceeding RMB 200 billion for the first time, marking a new record. A total of 5,736 new cases were accepted, involving an aggregate disputed amount of RMB 228.6 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.98% and maintain a level above RMB 100 billion for the eighth consecutive year. Among them, there were 806 foreign-related cases (a year-on-year increase of 6.33%) with a total disputed amount of RMB 88.075 billion (a year-on-year increase of 8.57%). The average amount in dispute per foreign-related case reached RMB 109 million. There were 277 cases with an amount in dispute exceeding RMB 100 million (a year-on-year increase of 18.4%). The cases accepted in 2025 involved 97 countries and regions, an increase of four compared to the previous year. Since its establishment, CIETAC has handled cases from 170 countries and regions, further expanding its global service coverage. In 2025, at least 16 arbitral awards have been fully enforced in 10 jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, the Republic of Korea, and Pakistan. Overall, the total amount in dispute showed robust growth, with a notable increase in high-value cases and a sustained high level of case intake. Meanwhile, the international profile of CIETAC’s caseload continued to strengthen, the case structure was further optimized, and both the quality of case management and procedural efficiency improved. The professional service capacity and effectiveness were comprehensively enhanced,  and the competitiveness and influence of CIETAC in resolving diverse commercial disputes through diversified mechanisms continued to expand. CIETAC has become a preferred dispute resolution institution widely trusted and chosen by both domestic and international parties.

In 2025, CIETAC’s position as an international benchmark arbitration institution was further consolidated. According to the International Arbitration Survey, following its recognition in 2021 as one of the world’s five most preferred international arbitration institutions, CIETAC Arbitration Rules were again ranked in 2025 among the world’s five most favored arbitration rules, jointly with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. CIETAC thus became the only arbitration institution in mainland China to be ranked among the world's top five most preferred arbitration institutions and has the top five most preferred arbitration rules. This recognition demonstrates CIETAC’s credibility in the international arbitration community and has continuously enhanced the voice and influence of Chinese arbitration within the global dispute resolution system.

Looking ahead, 2026 marks the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan . The rule of law serves as an important safeguard for economic and social development during this period. Arbitration, as an integral part of the development of the rule of law in China and the diversified dispute resolution mechanism, will face a series of transformative and systemic new opportunities as well as challenges. Secretary-General Wang Chengjie stated that CIETAC will remain confident and proactive, taking more than 70 years of dedicated development as a new starting point. CIETAC will proactively integrate into and serve the new development pattern, advance both domestic and foreign-related rule of law, and promote high-level opening-up and high-quality development. With the goal of building a benchmark for world-class arbitration institutions with outstanding credibility, modern and efficient governance, globally leading digital and intelligent capabilities, and significant international influence, CIETAC will thoroughly implement the newly revised Arbitration Law, continuously improving its arbitration service system, and better meeting the diverse dispute resolution needs of parties at home and abroad. CIETAC will enhance quality and efficiency through reform and innovation, strengthen the international credibility of Chinese arbitration, expand its global influence and leadership, and make greater contributions to the advancement of Chinese modernization.

(Venue of the Summary Meeting)

At the meeting, CIETAC announced the list of outstanding and commended staff of 2025, and recognized individuals for their exemplary performance over the past year.

At the end, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie extended sincere greetings and Chinese New Year wishes to all the staff on behalf of CIETAC. The meeting ended successfully with warm applause.