On the afternoon of May 19, 2026, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and KCAB International co-hosted an event in Beijing. Under the theme “Innovations and Insights: Shaping Global Arbitration Hubs in Civil Law Jurisdictions,” the event focused on the development, practices and cooperation opportunities of arbitration institutions in civil law jurisdictions. It brought together senior experts, arbitrators, corporate legal counsel, and lawyers from China, South Korea, and the international arbitration community to discuss cutting-edge issues in cross-border dispute resolution.

The opening ceremony of this event featured opening remarks by Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CIETAC, and Professor Seung Wha CHANG, Chairman of KCAB International, and was chaired by Lu Fei, Director of CIETAC’s Business Development Division and Secretary-General of the CIETAC European Arbitration Centre.

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie noted that CIETAC and the Korea Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB) share a long-standing partnership. Since establishing institutionalized exchanges in 1992, the two organizations have continuously deepened and strengthened their cooperation in areas such as joint research and professional training, thereby solidifying the foundation for Sino-Korean cooperation in commercial dispute resolution. Faced with profound changes in the global economic and trade landscape and the increasing complexity of cross-border commercial disputes, arbitration institutions must achieve higher levels of development in professional capabilities, service efficiency, and international coordination. He stated that CIETAC has consistently adhered to a development path characterized by internationalization, specialization, and digitalization: grounding itself in the local context while aligning with international standards to solidify the foundation for the convergence of rules; deepening expertise and cultivating talent to enhance core arbitration competitiveness; and fostering collaboration among institutions to build a regional arbitration ecosystem; leveraging technology to improve quality and efficiency, and driving the development of arbitration through innovative practices. CIETAC is willing to take this event as an opportunity to join hands with KCAB International to enhance the international influence of arbitration seated in a civil law jurisdiction, build a solid foundation for dispute resolution in cross-border economic and trade cooperation, jointly construct a fair, transparent, and predictable international commercial dispute resolution system, and assist civil law countries in establishing themselves as hubs for international arbitration.

(Secretary-General Wang Chengjie delivered the opening remarks)

Chairman Seung Wha CHANG spoke highly of the long-standing friendly cooperation between the two sides and expressed high hopes for deepening future collaboration. He noted that both China and South Korea are civil law jurisdictions and share a strong alignment of views on innovation in international arbitration and enhancing regional influence. This joint event has established a platform for practical dialogue between the arbitration communities of the two countries. Both sides will continue to advance the modernization of arbitration rules, refine procedural standards, optimize case management, and actively participate in the development of international rules. They will work together to address challenges in the global arbitration market, seize development opportunities, and promote the innovative development of civil law arbitration. In recent years, KCAB International has also focused on rule innovation and case management upgrades, providing market participants with stable, professional, and predictable dispute resolution services.

(Opening Remarks by Chairman Seung Wha CHANG)

The event featured two main components: a fireside chat and a panel discussion. The fireside chat was moderated by Cao Lijun, Senior Partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm. Chairman Seung Wha CHANG and Director Lu Fei engaged in an in-depth discussion on “Institutional Updates & Collaborations in Promoting Arbitration in Civil Law Jurisdictions.” They explored the advantages of arbitration practices in civil law jurisdictions, shared practical experiences regarding the international development of arbitration institutions, rule innovation, case management, and cross-border collaboration between China and South Korea, and discussed the application and implementation of digital technology and artificial intelligence in the field of arbitration. Together, they explored collaborative pathways to enhance the international recognition of arbitration in civil law jurisdictions.

(From left to right: Cao Lijun, Senior Partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm; Professor Seung Wha CHANG, Chairman of KCAB International; and Lu Fei, Director of the Business Development Department at CIETAC and Secretary-General of the CIETAC European Centre for Arbitration)

The panel discussion, titled “KCAB International & CIETAC Perspectives: Demystifying Case Management Across Arbitration Institutions,” was moderated by independent arbitrator Tao Jingzhou, with participation from Pui-Ki Emmanuelle TA, Secretary-General of KCAB International; Dong Chungen, Partner at Jingtian & Gongcheng; Wu Shaoxuan, Deputy Director of the Commission Affairs Division of CIETAC; Junu Kim, Partner at Bae, Kim & Lee; and Murphy Mok, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Hong Kong office. Drawing on diverse perspectives—including those of an institutional manager, an arbitrator, a practicing lawyer, and a case manager—the panelists combined their institutional practices and industry experience to shed light on internal procedural processes and operations. They analyzed the commonalities and differences in arbitration case management across various legal systems and engaged in in-depth discussions on practical issues such as enhancing the efficiency of cross-border arbitration proceedings, the innovative application of rules, and the optimization of institutional services. These exchanges provided diverse insights for mutual learning and process optimization among arbitration institutions.

(From left to right: Tao Jingzhou, Independent Arbitrator; Pui-Ki Emmanuelle TA, Secretary-General of KCAB International; Dong Chungen, Partner at Jingtian & Gongcheng; Wu Shaoxuan, Deputy Director of the Commission Affairs Division of CIETAC; Junu Kim, Partner at Bae, Kim & Lee; and Murphy Mok, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Hong Kong office)

The on-site Q&A session was lively, with participants and attendees engaging in lively discussions on trends and practical issues in international commercial arbitration.

At the conclusion of the event, Secretary-General Pui-Ki Emmanuelle TA and Secretary-General Wang Chengjie delivered closing remarks. Secretary-General Pui-Ki Emmanuelle TA congratulated the organizers on the successful conclusion of the event and expressed her hope to establish in-depth and institutionalized cooperation with CIETAC to jointly support the civil law system and the East Asian region in playing a greater role in the field of international dispute resolution. Secretary-General Wang Chengjie noted that the event had established an important platform for exchange and cooperation among arbitration institutions in civil law jurisdictions. He stated that in the future, both sides would deepen practical cooperation, innovate arbitration services, and jointly build a fair and efficient international commercial dispute resolution system to serve the broader economic and trade development interests of China and South Korea, as well as the global community.

(Closing Remarks by Secretary-General Pui-Ki Emmanuelle TA)

This joint event by CIETAC and KCAB International represents a significant step by CIETAC to adapt to changes in the global arbitration landscape and promote mutual learning and exchange in civil law-based arbitration. It holds great significance for enhancing the international influence of Chinese and Korean arbitration, deepening arbitration cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and supporting the China’s high-level opening-up. It fully demonstrates CIETAC’s commitment to building a world-class arbitration institution and assisting China in establishing itself as a leading hub for international commercial arbitration.