On the morning of December 2, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”) Silk Road Arbitration Center (“CIETAC Silk Road Arbitration Center”) had discussions with in-house counsels from Northwest Engineering Corporation Limited (“Northwest Engineering”), Sinohydro Bureau 3 Co., LTD. (“hydropower Bureau 3”) and Sinohydro Corporation Engineering Bureau 15 Co., LTD. (“hydropower Bureau 15”) in the conference room of the Northwest Engineering. Jiang Hongmei, Assistant Secretary General of CIETAC Silk Road Arbitration Center, Wei Jun, Director of Law and Risk Management Department and Deputy General Counsel of Northwest Engineering, Li Zi’ang, Deputy Director of Law and Risk Management Department of the hydropower Bureau 3, and Ren Keji, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs Department of the hydropower Bureau 15, attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Director Wei Jun from the Northwest Engineering.

During the meeting, Ms. Jiang Hongmei briefed about the history, business development of CIETAC, and advantages of arbitration services, the alternative dispute resolution services concerning construction project. She highlighted the establishment and operation of CIETAC Silk Road Arbitration Center and its achievements. She pointed out that the purpose of establishing CIETAC Silk Road Arbitration Center in Xi 'an is to serve the implementation of the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the development of Shaanxi Free Trade Zone, and to provide independent, fair, efficient and convenient, professional and high-quality arbitration legal services for enterprises in the northwest region. In the meantime, CIETAC Silk Road Arbitration Center gives full play to the advantages of CIETAC resources and platform, actively carries out legal practice training on hot topics, builds a learning and exchange platform to contribute to the high-quality development of enterprises and the construction of the local business environment ruled by law.

Director Wei Jun, Deputy Director Li Zi’ang and Deputy Director Ren Keji respectively summarized the development, the feature of in-house legal affairs and demand for alternative dispute resolution services of the Northwest Engineering, the hydropower Bureau 3, and the hydropower Bureau 15. It was agreed that in recent years, the number of disputes concerning construction project has been increasing, the amount in dispute is large, and the legal relationships are complicated. Overseas business is restricted by the host state's policies, laws, foreign exchange control, language and other factors, which puts forward higher requirements for in-house counsels. The arbitration service of CIETAC enjoys a high reputation at home and abroad. It is hoped that exchanges with CIETAC Silk Road Arbitration Center are strengthened in the future, along with the understanding being deepened, the ability to prevent and resolve legal risks being constantly improved, allowing for a better integration into the international market, and better protection for the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises.

At last, Ms. Jiang Hongmei answered the questions from the participants, including the drafting of dispute resolution clauses, the selection of arbitration institutions and arbitrators, matters to be noted in arbitration procedures, and the supervision and guarantee of the credibility of CIETAC arbitral awards. The meeting successfully set up a communication platform for enterprises to further understand CIETAC arbitration services.