On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”), and in recognition of arbitrators who have made outstanding contributions to CIETAC’s development, CIETAC decided, pursuant to the Measures for Granting the Title of Honorary Arbitrator,  following extensive consultations, deliberation by the  CIETAC Arbitrator Qualification Review and Assessment Committee of CIETAC Arbitrators  and approval by the CIETAC Director’s Meeting,  to formally confer the honorary title of “Honorary Arbitrator” on five distinguished senior arbitrators: ZHANG Yuejiao, YANG Liangyi, Ulf Franke, Donald Donovan and J. Félix de Luis.

On 24 July 2026, at the Symposium Marking the 70th Anniversary of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, WANG Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC, formally announced the list of the five Honorary Arbitrators on behalf of CIETAC, gave a detailed account of their outstanding contributions to the development of CIETAC arbitration, and read out their honorary citations, which are reproduced below.

(Honorary Citation: ZHANG Yuejiao

At the forefront of rule-of-law development, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to impartiality. Drawing on her profound professional expertise, she has enhanced the resolution of disputes through arbitration; with her strategic international vision, she has contributed to innovation in CIETAC’s institutional framework; and with her passionate commitment to mentoring, she has nurtured a new generation of talent in foreign-related rule of law. Through decades of tireless dedication and steadfast endeavor, she has set an exemplary standard for China’s foreign-related arbitration and laid a solid foundation for CIETAC’s international and professional development.)

(Honorary Citation: YANG Liangyi

For five decades, he has devoted himself to arbitration practice and empowered the professional growth of countless practitioners. Through prolific scholarship, he has developed a profound theoretical foundation; through public-spirited teaching, he has disseminated the rules of international commerce; through hands-on practice, he has aligned his work with global arbitration standards; and through dedicated advocacy, he has showcased the distinctive strengths of CIETAC arbitration. With wholehearted commitment, he has helped ensure that CIETAC’s foreign-related arbitration practice is passed from generation to generation and continues to advance steadily.)

(Honorary Citation: Ulf Franke

He has charted a course for China–Sweden arbitration relations and dedicated himself to fostering connectivity between Chinese and international arbitration. He has established long-term cooperation mechanisms and forged enduring strategic partnerships. As a contributor to CIETAC’s international development and a trailblazer in China–Sweden arbitration cooperation, he has, through cross-border collaboration, opened a forward-looking channel connecting Chinese arbitration with the global community and, with shared commitment across oceans, written an inspiring chapter of international cooperation in arbitration and the rule of law.)

(Honorary Citation: Donald Donovan

He has devoted himself to the evolution of arbitration rules and the dissemination of cutting-edge thinking in global arbitration. As a driving force behind CIETAC’s international development and a bridge-builder in China–US arbitration exchanges, he has brought vision and insight to CIETAC’s deeper integration into the global arbitration governance system and strengthened the foundations of its international credibility and influence. With a broad strategic perspective, he has built bridges for China–US exchanges in the rule of law and opened a new chapter in legal cooperation between the two countries.)

(Honorary Citation: J. Félix de Luis

He has built bridges for rule-of-law connectivity across continents and advanced cooperation between Chinese and international arbitration communities. For a decade, he has supported the development of the CIETAC brand, helped expand CIETAC’s global reach, and brought expertise and insight to strengthen CIETAC’s panel of arbitrators. With professional commitment, he has opened channels for arbitration cooperation between China and Western Europe and Latin America, providing lasting impetus for CIETAC’s global development.)

Secretary General WANG Chengjie noted that, over the course of seventy remarkable years, CIETAC has grown from pioneering China’s foreign-related arbitration to ranking among the world’s most influential international arbitration institutions, and from exploring rules and breaking new ground in practice to establishing a deep global presence and earning international recognition. Every advance and every achievement embodies the wisdom, dedication and sincere contributions of CIETAC’s arbitrators. The arbitrator community is CIETAC’s most vital and valuable resource and the backbone of its efforts to remain rooted in China, connect with the world and serve users globally. The five Honorary Arbitrators are outstanding role models and exemplars of CIETAC’s international and professional arbitrator community throughout its seventy-year journey of perseverance and progress.

(Secretary General WANG Chengjie announcing the Honorary Arbitrators at the Symposium Marking the 70th Anniversary of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)

ZHANG Yuejiao attended the symposium as a representative of the Honorary Arbitrators and delivered remarks. Deeply moved, she became emotional on several occasions during her speech. She reflected that receiving the title of Honorary Arbitrator of CIETAC filled her with a multitude of emotions: her decades-long career in foreign-related rule of law began at CIETAC, where she grew professionally before ultimately bringing China’s voice to the international stage. CIETAC has built a Chinese arbitration brand renowned worldwide through the sustained dedication of several generations of arbitration professionals. Against the backdrop of changes unseen in a century, she set out five expectations: upholding impartiality and credibility, serving the broader cause of opening-up, developing smart arbitration, deepening international cooperation and cultivating foreign-related legal talent. She expressed the hope that CIETAC would carry forward the pioneering spirit of arbitration predecessors such as REN Jianxin and TANG Houzhi, and work with members of the arbitration community to build a world-class international commercial arbitration system, thereby contributing solid arbitral strength to Chinese modernization and high-standard opening-up.

(ZHANG Yuejiao delivering remarks as a representative of the Honorary Arbitrators)

With fair winds propelling the long journey ahead and weighty responsibilities calling for renewed endeavor, it is hoped that CIETAC arbitrators will look to the five Honorary Arbitrators as role models and, through professional expertise, practical action and a strong sense of responsibility, continue to advance CIETAC’s high-quality development and write a new chapter for arbitration in China.