From February 3 to 6, 2026, Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), led a delegation to Taiwan, China to attend the 20th Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium , co-organized by CIETAC and the Taiwan Chinese Arbitration Association (TAIWAN CAA) . The delegation conducted a series of exchange activities throughout Taiwan, visiting Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Taoyuan. They engaged in extensive and in-depth discussions with prominent local arbitrators, leaders of bar associations at both the provincial and municipal levels, practicing lawyers from various fields, representatives from the business community, and scholars from leading universities in Taiwan. Marking CIETAC's re-visit to Taiwan after eight years, the delegation was met with an enthusiastic response and warm hospitality from peers in Taiwan's arbitration and legal community, with substantial assistance from TAIWAN CAA. In particular, Wu Yeong-Chyan, Chairman, and Lin Huan, Secretary-General of TAIWAN CAA, played a key role in facilitating cross-strait exchanges, personally attending multiple Symposium sessions and providing steadfast support.

During its visit to Taiwan, the CIETAC delegation actively promoted the to-be-enforced revised Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China and the arbitration legal system in the Mainland. The delegation also engaged in in-depth exchanges on CIETAC's arbitration practices, gained insights into the latest developments and needs in cross-strait economic and trade dispute resolution, and jointly explored mechanisms conducive to fostering cross-strait economic and trade exchanges. These discussions reinforced a shared commitment on both sides of the strait to enhance communication, deepen mutual understanding and trust, and contribute to the building of platforms and bridges for cooperation. Ultimately, the delegation’s visit yielded fruitful outcomes.

I Successful Holding of the 20th Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium

The symposium featured in-depth discussions on topics including “The Application and Practice of Interim Preservation Measures and Mechanisms to Enhance Arbitration Efficiency Across the Strait” “The Development and Challenges of Arbitration Institutions and Ad Hoc Arbitration  Across the Strait” and “The Latest Practices and Developments in Intellectual Property Arbitration Across the Strait”. Focusing on these key topics, nineteen experts and scholars from the Mainland and Taiwan engaged in thorough exchanges, fostering a deeper understanding and consensus on arbitration legal systems and practices on both sides of the strait. Building on this consensus, the in-depth discussions provided valuable insights into addressing key challenges in cross-strait arbitration practice, established a professional dialogue platform, and demonstrated the firm commitment of arbitration practitioners across the strait to building consensus and advancing cooperation. Consequently, the symposium successfully fulfilled its objective of promoting cross-strait arbitration exchanges.

CIETAC and TAIWAN CAA have maintained a long-standing friendly relationship, having established institutionalized cooperation since 2000 and jointly launched the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium in 2001. Since then, operating under the mechanism of “joint organization with venue rotation”, the symposium has evolved into the most influential annual platform for professional exchange among the arbitration, legal, and business communities across the strait.

(Successful Holding of the 20th Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium in Taipei)

(Group Photo of Speakers at the 20th Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium)

(CIETAC Delegation in in-depth Discussions with Arbitration Experts from Taiwan during a Break at the Symposium)

II Multiple Consensuses Reached at the Joint Conference Held by CIETAC and TAIWAN CAA

Following the conclusion of the Symposium, CIETAC and TAIWAN CAA held an institutional working meeting in accordance with established practice. They engaged in pragmatic consultations on specific topics for advancing cooperation and reached significant consensus on five key areas: first, adapting to contemporary developments to jointly promote the integration and innovation of arbitration legal systems; second, further enhancing consensus to facilitate the cross-strait recognition and enforcement of arbitration awards; third, strengthening exchanges and dialogue to broaden the scope and depth of cross-strait arbitration cooperation; fourth, intensifying research on common challenges and emerging issues to advance high-quality development of cross-strait arbitration; and fifth, enhancing cooperation through technology to jointly address new opportunities and challenges in the digital and intelligent era. In addition, the meeting engaged in intensive discussions on matters including the organization of the 21st Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium and relevant events.

The joint institutional working meeting mechanism of CIETAC and TAIWAN CAA serves as an auxiliary component of the Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium. In previous meetings, the two sides reached consensus on and actively advanced cooperation in multiple areas, including mutual recommendation of arbitrators from across the strait, joint promotion of model arbitration clauses, deepening of professional exchanges in arbitration law and profession, and talent exchange and resource sharing—efforts that have yielded significant results. This joint meeting mechanism has fostered the deep integration of cross-strait arbitration practices at multiple levels.

(The 20th Cross-Strait Joint Conference of Arbitration Institutions Successfully Concluded in Taipei)

(Group Photo of Participants at the 20th Cross-Strait Joint Conference of Arbitration Institutions)

III. Active Engagement with Taiwan's Legal Community Yields Broad Consensus on Arbitration

During its visit, the CIETAC delegation engaged in extensive exchanges with the Taiwan Bar Association , Taichung Bar Association , Kaohsiung Bar Association , Central Taiwan Lawyers Alliance, and prominent law firms in Taiwan. These wide-ranging and in-depth exchanges covered key topics including the current status and challenges of digital arbitration, cross-strait arbitration legal systems, cross-strait recognition and enforcement of arbitration awards, judicial assistance, online arbitration, the application of artificial intelligence in arbitration, and third-party funding. All discussions were characterized by a vibrant professional atmosphere, productive exchanges, and a strong sense of shared purpose. Stakeholders from both sides of the strait unanimously agreed that enhancing communication is not only a common aspiration but also a practical necessity for the arbitration and legal communities across the strait. They further recognized that deepening cooperation is a key driver for elevating the quality of cross-strait arbitration services. Looking ahead, Stakeholders from both sides of the strait underscored the need for continued efforts to break down barriers and foster mutual learning, enabling arbitration services to better facilitate cross-strait economic and trade exchanges and, in doing so, solidify the rule of law foundation for optimizing the business environment on both sides of the strait.

(CIETAC Delegation Meets with Taichung Bar Association)

(Group Photo of CIETAC Delegation and Taichung Bar Association)

(CIETAC Delegation Meets with Kaohsiung Bar Association)

(Group Photo of CIETAC Delegation and Kaohsiung Bar Association)

(CIETAC Delegation Meets with Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law )

(Group Photo of CIETAC Delegation and Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law)

(CIETAC Delegation Meets with TaipeiLaw Attorneys-at-Law )

(Group Photo of CIETAC Delegation and TaipeiLaw Attorneys-at-Law)

(CIETAC Delegation Communicating with Counterparts from Taiwan's Arbitration, Legal, and Business Communities)

(CIETAC Delegation Exchanging Souvenirs with TAIWAN CAA, Taichung Bar Association, and Kaohsiung Bar Association)

The visit of the CIETAC delegation to Taiwan—where it co-hosted the 20th Cross-Strait Economic and Trade Arbitration Symposium with the TAIWAN CAA, held the auxiliary institutional meeting, and engaged in a series of exchange activities—sets an ice-breaking mark as in recent years where a mainland arbitration institution first to conduct professional exchanges in Taiwan. This visit responded to the long-anticipated hopes of arbitration and legal professionals on both sides of the strait, achieving substantial outcomes in promoting the harmonization of legal rules and enhancing mutual trust and consensus. Serving as a vital bridge between the past and the future in advancing cross-strait arbitration exchanges, it will undoubtedly have a positive and enduring impact on the stable and healthy development of cross-strait economic and trade relations.