China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) is one of the major permanent arbitration institutions in the world. CIETAC independently and impartially resolves international and domestic economic and trade disputes, including international investment disputes, through arbitration. It also provides alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services such as mediation, domain name dispute resolution, and construction dispute review.
Formerly known as the Foreign Trade Arbitration Commission, CIETAC was set up in April 1956 under the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in accordance with the Decision Concerning the Establishment of A Foreign Trade Arbitration Commission Within the China Council For the Promotion of International Trade adopted on May 6, 1954 at the 215th session of the Government Administration Council. The Foreign Trade arbitration was first renamed as Foreign Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in 1980 pursuant to the State Council’s Notice Concerning the Conversion of the Foreign Trade Arbitration Commission Into the Foreign Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, and then as the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in 1988 pursuant to the State Council’s Official Reply Concerning the Renaming of the Arbitration Commission as the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and Amendment of Its Arbitration Rules. Since 2000, CIETAC is also known as the Arbitration Court of the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC).
Since its establishment, CIETAC has accepted over 70,000 arbitration cases, primarily involving international commercial disputes, with parties from 166 countries and regions around the world. In terms of caseload, amount in dispute, and the number of countries involved, CIETAC ranks among the top international arbitration institutions. CIETAC arbitral awards are widely recognized and enforced across variou jurisdiction.
In 2021, CIETAC ranked among the top five most preferred arbitration institutions in the International Arbitration Survey, a leading industry report— marking the first time an arbitration institution from mainland China achieved this distinction in international authoritative survey. In 2023, CIETAC retained its position in the "Top Ten Arbitration Institutions in China" and "Top Ten Arbitration Institutions for Foreign-related Services", ranking at the first place. CIETAC is the only arbitration institution to score above 90 in both categories.
Headquartered in Beijing, CIETAC has established a wide network across China and abroad. Domestically, CIETAC has set up South China Sub-Commission in Shenzhen, Shanghai Sub-Commission, Tianjin International Economic and Financial Arbitration Center (Tianjin Sub-Commission), Southwest Sub-Commission in Chongqing, Zhejiang Sub-Commission in Hangzhou, Hubei Sub-Commission in Wuhan, Fujian Sub-Commission in Fuzhou, Silk Road Arbitration Center in Xi'an, Jiangsu Arbitration Center in Nanjing, Sichuan Sub-Commission in Chengdu, Shandong Sub-Commission in Jinan, Hainan Arbitration Center in Haikou and Xiong'an Sub-Commission in Xiong'an. Internationally, CIETAC has set up Hong Kong Arbitration Center, North America Arbitration Center in Vancouver, Canada, and European Arbitration Centre in Vienna, Austria. CIETAC also maintains 30 liaison offices across China, including specialized hearing centers such as CIETAC Central Asia Hearing Center (Urumqi) and CIETAC ASEAN Hearing Center (Nanning). Through the extensive network, CIETAC has built a globally oriented arbitration service system centered in Beijing, enabling efficient dispute resolution for domestic and international parties.
On 1 January 2024, the 10th edition of the CIETAC Arbitration Rules came into force. The new rules prioritize party autonomy while incorporating the latest achievements of international arbitration. It innovates and improves the arbitration system, and continuously enhance the autonomy, flexibility, fairness, efficiency and transparency of arbitration proceedings, providing solid foundation for the high-quality development of arbitration services. According to the 2025 International Arbitration Survey,CIETAC Arbitration Rules were selected by 15% of global respondents, ranking jointly with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules as the world’s fifth most preferred arbitration rules.
CIETAC' Panel of Arbitrators currently comprises 1,881 arbitrators from 145 countries and regions, including 112 countries and regions that have signed cooperation documents under the Belt and Road Initiative. Spanning six continents, the Panel is equipeed to meet the dispute resolution needs of commercial entities across the globe, with a high-level of professionality, internationalization and multi-jurisdictional expertise.
CIETAC remains committed to advancing the digitalization and informatization of arbitration. Since 2019, CIETAC has successively launched the online filing systems, intelligent hearing systems, and a digital platform for online exchange of documents. CIETAC also developed the intergrated Smart Arbitration Platform APP, which connects desktop, mobile, and internal office systems, providing efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective arbitration services for parties.
CIETAC actively promotes the development of the alternative dispute resolution service. In 2000, CIETAC established the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Center, taking the lead in the practice of domain name dispute resolution. In 2002, CIETAC co-established the Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (ADNDRC) with Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), later joined by Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and Korean Internet Address Dispute Resolution Committee (KIDRC), forming an extensive domain dispute resolution network across Asia. In 2010, CIETAC promulgated the Construction Dispute Review Rules, pioneering adjudication services for infrastructure projects. In 2012 and 2017, CIETAC was successively designated as the sole mainland arbitral institution authorized to resolve investment disputes through mediation under the Cross-Strait Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and the CEPA Investment Agreements (respectively signed with Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR). In 2017, CIETAC released the International Investment Arbitration Rules, which is the first investment arbitration rules in China and the third globally. In 2018, CIETAC established the Mediation Center and issued the CIETAC Mediation Rules. In 2019, CIETAC was recognized as the online dispute resolution (ODR) service provider of China under the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross border Commercial Dispute Resolution Cooperation Framework.
CIETAC actively expands international arbitration communication and cooperation, contributing to the development of an inclusive and open international arbitration ecosystem. To date, CIETAC has signed cooperation agreements with nearly 90 international arbitration institutions and organizations. CIETAC has built influential platforms for international communication and collaboration, launching signature events such as China Arbitration Week, China Arbitration Summit, and CIETAC Global Arbitrators Forum. These events enhance interactions and consensus within the international arbitration legal community. CIETAC also plays an increasingly prominent role in global arbitration governance. As the observer to United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the founding member/key contributor leading international bodies such as International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Institutions (IFCAI), Asia-Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG) and Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (ADNDRC), CIETAC shares Chinese experience and wisdom, embodying the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
CIETAC places great emphasis on the cultivation of foreign-related legal talent. In 2000, CIETAC initiated the "CIETAC Cup" International Commercial Arbitration Moot, followed in 2019 by the "CIETAC Cup" International Investment Arbitration Moot. For 12 consecutive years, CIETAC has organized the National Commercial Arbitration Essay Competition and China Young Arbitrators Forum. To date, CIETAC has signed cooperation agreements with 35 domestic and foreign universities, carrying out multi-tiered and diverse training programs and practical legal education. These efforts promote the cultivation of high-caliber legal talent with global perspective.
CIETAC has also been deeply committed to the study on arbitration theory and practice, summarizing and disseminating the latest achievements and development of international arbitration in China, providing valuable practical insights and references for academic exchanges and innovation in arbitration practices of domestic and international arbitration community.
