From March 23 to 25, 2026, Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), led a delegation to Germany, where they conducted a series of high-level, high-quality, and highly influential legal exchanges and professional dialogues on arbitration in Frankfurt and Hamburg. The visit focused on core topics such as the comparison of Chinese and German arbitration systems, innovation in cross-border commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, and the integration of arbitration and mediation practices. It aimed to enhance mutual trust and understanding, build consensus on cooperation, establish a bridge for deepening Sino-German economic and trade cooperation and professional collaboration within the arbitration legal community, and promote mutual learning and progress in legal practice.

Frankfurt Opening:

Comparing Arbitration Practices, Deepening Mutual Learning on Rules

During its stay in Frankfurt, the delegation successfully hosted a special seminar titled “Global Arbitration Practices: An Interpretation of Arbitration Systems and Practices in China and Europe,” systematically explaining CIETAC’s rule innovations and practical experience in resolving cross-border commercial disputes, with a focus on sharing the latest achievements of Chinese arbitration in serving two-way investment between China and Europe and promoting international economic and trade cooperation. The event featured a special roundtable discussion session, where participating experts engaged in in-depth dialogue on two topics: “Distinctive Features of Arbitration Practices at CIETAC and the German Arbitration Institute” and “Dialogue Between Legal Cultures: A Comparison and Integration of the Common Law Arbitration Tradition and the Mainland Chinese Arbitration System,” offering diverse perspectives on cross-border dispute resolution.

（the conference venue）

（The delegation interacted with the attendees.）

Hamburg Arbitration Day:

Deepening Arbitration and Mediation Practices, Discussing Challenges in the Era of Sanctions

During Hamburg Arbitration Day, the delegation hosted a special session titled “Mediation in Arbitration: “Exchange of Chinese and German Experiences in Mediation within Arbitration.” Drawing on CIETAC’s distinctive mechanism of “combining arbitration with mediation,” the delegation introduced China’s practical experience in integrating commercial arbitration with mediation, shared the “Eastern wisdom” contributed by CIETAC to international arbitration, and engaged in discussions with prominent German arbitration institutions and legal professionals regarding the vital role of mediation procedures in cross-border disputes. The event fostered broad consensus on advancing the development of more inclusive dispute resolution pathways.

（the conference venue）

（group photo of the seminar participants）

（The delegation and the guests engaged in extensive discussions.）

In addition, CIETAC, in collaboration with the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) and the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC), co-hosted a professional seminar titled “Arbitration and Enforcement Procedures in the Era of EU Sanctions and Russia’s Lugovoi Law” during Hamburg Arbitration Day. The seminar focused on key issues such as the impact of sanctions on international arbitration proceedings, the practical participation of sanctioned parties in arbitration, and the enforcement of international arbitral awards under Russia’s Lugovoi Act. It brought together senior experts and practitioners from around the world for in-depth discussions, establishing a professional dialogue platform to address geopolitical challenges in cross-border dispute resolution and uphold the effectiveness and neutrality of arbitration proceedings.

（the seminar venue）

The CIETAC delegation also participated in the 2026 Hamburg International Arbitration Day, an international symposium themed “The Role of Arbitration Institutions in Safeguarding Arbitration Proceedings,” and engaged in extensive discussions with attendees and delegates.

（Scene from the Hamburg Arbitration Day Conference）

Corporate Dialogue:

Empowering Chinese Enterprises with Targeted Support to Ensure Compliance in Overseas Operations

During the visit, the delegation also hosted a “seminar on Risk Prevention and Dispute Resolution for Chinese Enterprises Overseas,” providing practical guidance on issues such as compliance challenges and the establishment of dispute prevention mechanisms faced by Chinese enterprises investing in Europe. The seminar offered tailored risk prevention and dispute resolution solutions covering areas such as contract clause drafting and the selection of dispute resolution strategies.

（group photo of the attendees）

Extensive Collaboration:

Partnering with leading legal institutions to build consensus on cross-border dispute resolution

During the delegation’s visit to Germany, it held discussions with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Bucerius Law School. Through the delegation’s presentations and exchanges, the German business and legal communities gained a deep understanding of CIETAC’s initiatives in digital institutional development, its global service network, the development of its arbitrator pool, and talent cultivation. They also gained a deeper appreciation of the development of Chinese arbitration practices, as exemplified by CIETAC, and highly commended CIETAC’s achievements in the fair, efficient, and independent resolution of international commercial disputes, as well as in promoting international arbitration exchange and cooperation.

（group photo of the delegation and representatives from the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce）

（The delegation held an exchange with Bucerius Law School.）

On the same day, the delegation held discussions with the Hamburg International Arbitration Center and the Asian-European Arbitration Centre (ASEAC). Both sides agreed that as economic and trade ties between Asia and Europe continue to deepen, cross-border commercial disputes are becoming increasingly diverse and complex, making it crucial to strengthen communication and collaboration among regional arbitration institutions. Secretary General Wang Chengjie outlined CIETAC’s latest progress in refining arbitration rules, optimizing case management, and advancing digital and intelligent infrastructure development, and shared CIETAC’s initiatives to establish a cooperative platform for international commercial dispute resolution. Ms. Elke Unbeck, Secretary General of ASEAC, introduced ASEAC’s development background, organizational structure, and key priorities in promoting arbitration exchanges between Asia and Europe. She spoke highly of CIETAC’s professional capabilities and influence in the field of international arbitration, expressing her hope that both parties would further deepen their cooperation on the basis of existing exchanges and promote mutual learning and integration of arbitration practices between Asia and Europe through multi-level and multi-form cooperation.

（The delegation held discussions with the Hamburg International Arbitration Center and ASEAC.）

During their visit to Germany, the delegation held in-depth discussions with Bird & Bird, Freshfields, Luther, PwC, Heuking. They engaged in in-depth practical discussions on core topics such as cross-border commercial arbitration, the integration of arbitration and mediation, EU compliance and regulation, risk prevention and control in cross-border investment and M&A, intellectual property protection, differences in legal practices between China and Germany, and the optimization of mechanisms for resolving cross-border disputes. The parties exchanged views and shared cutting-edge practical experiences, reaching broad consensus on deepening practical cooperation within the legal community and jointly supporting bilateral economic and trade exchanges.

（The delegation held discussions with Bird & Bird.）

（The delegation poses for a group photo with PwC Germany.）

（The delegation held discussions with Freshfields .）

（The delegation held discussions with Heuking Law Firm.）

（The delegation held discussions with Luther Law Firm.）

The CIETAC delegation’s visit to Germany was packed with activities and yielded fruitful results. Through a series of events, visits, and exchanges, mutual understanding between the Chinese and German arbitration communities was further strengthened. This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on enhancing practical cooperation in arbitration between China and Germany, fostering mutual understanding and trust, building collaborative synergy, and deepening the integrated development of international arbitration, thereby providing stronger legal safeguards for China-EU economic and trade cooperation.