The year 2023 marks the march of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) in actively serving and integrating into the new development pattern. Efforts were made to uphold the independence, impartiality and efficiency of arbitration, enhance its credibility and promote its international influence. CIETAC has been taking solid steps in the construction of a modern and world-class arbitration institution.

I. 2023 Work Report

1. Resolved disputes fairly and impartially, and made significant progress in arbitration business.

The quantity and quality of cases rose in tandem. The year 2023 witnessed the record high of both caseload and amount in dispute. 5,237 new cases were accepted with a year-on-year increase of 28.17%. The amount in dispute reached RMB 151.023 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.01%, exceeding RMB 100 billion yuan for six consecutive years. The average disputed amount per case reaching RMB 28.8377 million yuan. Among them, there were 645 foreign-related cases on a continued growth with the amount in dispute of RMB 52.765 billion yuan in total (a year-on-year increase of 41.08%), averaging RMB 81.8055 million yuan per case; 4,592 domestic cases (a year-on-year increase of 33.33%) with the amount in dispute of RMB 98.259 billion yuan in total (a year-on-year increase of 10%). Cases with disputed amount over RMB 100 million yuan totaled 209 (a year-on-year increase of 11%), 19 of which were cases with disputed amount over RMB 1 billion yuan. 3,809 cases were in process (a year-on-year increase of 19%), and 4,682 cases were concluded (a year-on-year increase of 22.5%). 134 domain name disputes were accepted (a year-on-year increase of 9.84%) and 130 were concluded.

The cases continued to be more international in nature. In 2023, the cases involved 88 countries and regions, of which the parties were from 71 countries and regions. There were 62 international cases in which both parties were non-Chinese. The top ten most frequently involved countries and regions in foreign-related cases were, respectively, Hong Kong SAR (China), the United States of America, British Virgin Islands, Germany, Singapore, South Korea, Cayman Islands, Taiwan (China), the United Kingdom and Canada. In 93 cases, English, or both English and Chinese were used as the language(s) of arbitration. A wide range of governing laws were chosen by the parties, including the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) as well as the laws of Hong Kong SAR, England, Pakistan, Mongolia, Russia, Brunei, Iraq, etc. The parties also chose the International Rules for the Interpretation of Trade Terms (Incoterms) 2000 and other rules to govern the cases.

In 2023, for the first time, the CIETAC cases covered all of the "Belt and Road" countries. According to statistics, over the past decade since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, CIETAC has accepted 2,944 cases involving "Belt and Road" countries, with a total amount in dispute of RMB 160.017 billion yuan, including 256 cases exceeding RMB 100 million yuan. CIETAC has accumulated rich experience in handling economic, trade and investment disputes related to the “Belt and Road” construction.

Notably, with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, nearly 30 countries were newly added to the list of nationalities of parties in the CIETAC cases in the past five years. Since its establishment, CIETAC has handled cases involving over 160 countries and regions, further expanding its service to global commercial entities.

The arbitration proceedings were complex and diverse. In 2023, there were 1,072 cases involving multiple parties and 906 cases involving multiple contracts, accounting for 20.5% and 17.3% of the total caseload respectively. 65 cases involved the joinder of additional parties, and 64 cases were consolidated. 7,926 appointments/nominations of arbitrators were made; and 4,936 tribunals were formed. 1,010 arbitrators accepted appointments/nominations. 2,049 appointments/nominations were made to 231 female arbitrators. There were 136 appointments/nominations of foreign arbitrators in 125 cases, with 90 cases heard exclusively by foreign arbitrators. In 22 cases, the parties agreed to nominate arbitrators outside the Panel of Arbitrators. 5,141 oral hearings were held. Over 200,000 procedural notices in Chinese and English were issued. 76 jurisdictional decisions were made, and 35 decisions on the challenge of arbitrators were made. The meetings of the Expert Advisory Committee were held for 6 times to provide professional advice for 22 major difficult cases.

The approaches of case hearing were flexible and efficient. The arbitral tribunals employed both the civil law and common law approaches in the proceedings depending on the circumstances of the cases. Factual witnesses or legal experts from Germany, Israel, Thailand, the Netherlands, Hong Kong SAR (China), etc. attended the oral hearings to be cross-examined. The arbitration proceedings were facilitated through methods such as issuing procedural orders and lists of issues, convening pre-hearing conferences, and defining the terms of reference. Flexible methods, including sampling estimation for large amount of electronic evidence, were adopted. Partial awards were made based on ascertained facts. Emergency arbitrator decisions were made upon the request of the parties. "Unless order" was issued to the parties in accordance with the Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance. Diversified hearing approaches ensured fair play and due process, and protected the legitimate rights and interests of the parties in a timely manner.

The types of disputes were novel and diversified. In 2023, CIETAC further standardized the classification and management of cases to address the emerging types of disputes. Primary types of disputes covered sale of goods, construction projects, corporate/enterprise governance, service contracts, finance, leasing, intellectual property rights, cultural, sports and entertainment industries, entrustment contracts, real estate, environmental protection and low carbon issues, etc. There was a notable increase in cases involving construction projects, intellectual property rights, finance and other key sectors. Features of new-type cases include:

a. New types of financial disputes were complex and difficult, and the volume of cases continued to grow. Traditional financial disputes related to public/private fund management, asset management, equity investment and transfer, bonds, trusts, and private lending still constituted a significant portion of financial cases. Disputes in the interbank bond market, involving buyout/pledged bond transactions and stock repurchase transactions, as well as disputes involving futures, options, and on exchange and over-the-counter derivatives trading, continued to increase. The emergence of new types of financial transaction disputes with intricate legal relationships pose significant challenges for handing such case.

b. Energy-related cases continued a steady increase. In addition to disputes involving traditional energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas, there was a steady increase in disputes related to new energy sources such as wind, electricity, solar, nuclear, and thermal power. Especially, with the establishment of carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, as well as the gradual establishment and improvement of carbon trading markets, new-type cases such as disputes over trading of carbon emission rights emerged.

c. The weight of intellectual property cases increased. Disputes involving biopharmaceutical technology development, distribution contracts, licensing agreements, patented process licensing, trademark disputes, franchise agreements, domain name purchase contracts, and other types of intellectual property disputes were on the rise. Intellectual property disputes involved a wide range of fields, with strong specialty, and showed a trend moving in the direction of new technologies and industries.

d. Disputes in emerging areas such as ESG came into view. The concept of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) were gaining prominence in the field of international arbitration, with more provisions related to environmental, social, and corporate governance being incorporated into commercial contracts. Disputes related to climate change, environmental pollution, corporate governance, and the potential risks arising from green finance and the green low-carbon industry rose.

The arbitral awards were enforced worldwide. In 2023, no CIETAC arbitral award was set aside by the court. The CIETAC awards won high recognition both domestically and internationally, which were recognized and enforced by courts in various countries and regions, including the United States, Argentina, Russia, Hong Kong SAR (China), and Taiwan (China), further promoting the credibility of China’s arbitration. In order to assist the parties in enforcing arbitral awards abroad, CIETAC provided necessary supporting services, including issuing certificates for validation of the awards, certificates of authenticity and documents for the registration of enforcement applications in accordance with the requirements of Indonesia, the United States, Iran, Brazil and other countries.

The credibility of arbitration was further demonstrated. In 2023, CIETAC retained its position in the "Top Ten Arbitration Institutions in China" and "Top Ten Arbitration Institutions for Foreign-related Services". CIETAC achieved the highest scores of 90 and 98 in the "Arbitration Credibility" and "Foreign-related Arbitration Services" indices respectively, ranking the first place. It was also the only arbitration institution with both indices exceeding 90. The report highlighted CIETAC's excellent performance in the legitimacy, standardization, transparency of arbitration rules, the quality of awards, as well as other aspects. It further emphasized that CIETAC was the most preferred international arbitration institution for parties involved in foreign-related cases, and CIETAC was widely recognized for its credibility in arbitration and advantages in foreign-related services.

2. Comprehensively improved arbitration service, and promoted institutional construction to a new level.

(1) 2024 Arbitration Rules were released as the new edition of Arbitration Rules. In response to the needs of the changing times, the 10th edition of the CIETAC Arbitration Rules was revised and released in 2023. The new rules fully respect party autonomy, incorporate the latest achievements of international arbitration, innovate the arbitration system, continuously enhance the autonomy, flexibility, fairness, efficiency, convenience, and transparency in arbitration, effectively satisfying the needs of the parties. The amendment of the new rules covered more than 30 aspects, including the provisions on online case filing and virtual hearings, prioritizing electronic means of delivery, ; improving the application of the doctrine of Kompetenz-Kompetenz, clarifying that the failure to negotiate or mediate before arbitration shall not affect the parties’ right to initiate arbitration, expanding the scope for multiple contracts arbitration, improving interim measures, providing more options of the appointment/nomination methods of the presiding arbitrator, specifying the application of CIETAC's "Guidelines on Evidence" in the arbitration proceedings, regulating the abuse of procedural rights, regulating third-party funding, introducing the early dismissal procedure, and implementing a cap on arbitration fees, etc. The new rules received wide attention and high praise in the arbitration community for its innovative, leading, and advancedfeatures. It is expected to provide a solid foundation for promoting CIETAC’s high-quality and breakthrough development.

(2) Team building and supervision mechanism were strengthened. In 2023, the expert teams in the field of diversified dispute resolution were further expanded. With 300 mediators from 15 countries and regions enlisted after the renewal process to cater to the needs of parties from home and abroad, and 191 experts from 16 countries and regions enlisted after the renewal process to review construction project disputes, the professionalism and internationalization of the teams of experts were further enhanced. With regard to key issues such as the disclosure and challenge of arbitrators as well as ensuring efficient arbitral proceedings, CIETAC organized 6 arbitrator training sessions to reinforce the awareness of responsibility and risk prevention, as well as to enhance the capacity and proficiency of case management. A systematic and standardized supervision and management system was established. Intensified assessment, refinement of arbitrator and evaluation mechanisms, removal of arbitrators from the Panel in cases of serious violations, and clear standards for code of conducts and professional ethics were implemented. CIETAC formulated and revised over 10 regulation documents, including the "Rules for Evaluating the Behavior of Arbitrators", "Remuneration for Arbitrators", "Administration of Resigned and Retired Staff Members", "Strictly Restricting CIETAC Staff Members and Their Close Relatives in Handling Cases as Arbitrators", "Case Inspection Measures", "Notice on Further Regulating the Conduct of Arbitrators in Virtual Hearings", etc. These measures aim to improve the supervision mechanism, foster a culture of integrity, and build a team of arbitrators with integrity, competence, and high quality.

(3) Strong emphasis was given on advancing the digital institution construction. In 2023, CIETAC was dedicated to improving arbitration service by making full use of digital technology. Efforts were made in improving the online filing system, and optimizing the intelligent dispute resolution platforms. Throughout the year, 1804 cases were filed online, accounting for one third of the total number of cases filed, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 34.63%. 1,631 online hearings were conducted, representing nearly one-third of the total hearings. Virtual hearings facilitated parties from 35 countries and regions, continuously meeting the urgent needs of the parties for efficient, convenient, and cost-effective arbitration service. The case management system was improved, introducing over 100 new functions such as online approval, online procedural streamline, and integrated management of the headquarters and sub-commissions. The integration of online and offline processes ensured effective coordination and efficient operation, further enhancing the efficiency of case management. CIETAC completed 19 projects, including the optimization of APP functions and the upgrade of online administration system, aligning digital technology with the practice, reconstructing the workflows, and empowering the high-quality development of arbitration.

3. Actively integrated into the new development pattern, and expanded the scope of arbitration service

(1) Cooperation on the rule of law along the "Belt and Road" entered a new chapter. On the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, CIETAC successfully held the 3rd Belt and Road Arbitration Institutions Forum. Building upon the foundation of the Beijing Joint Declaration of the Belt and Road Arbitration Institutions and the Cooperation Mechanism jointly launched by CIETAC and more than 40 domestic and foreign major arbitration institutions, CIETAC joined hands with 40 partneringinstitutions to launch the Cooperation Mechanism on Foreign Law Ascertainment of the Belt and Road Arbitration Institutions. This project involved 25 international arbitration institutions and relevant dispute resolution organizations from 20 countries and regions including Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. The aim is to enhance the accuracy and authority of extraterritorial law ascertainment and provide professional assistance for making fair arbitral awards. Under the in-depth promotion of the BRI, CIETAC actively cooperated with 10 Latin American and Spanish arbitration institutions and international organizations, and successfully held the China-Latin America International Arbitration Forum, with participants from 15 countries and a total of over 120,000 online participants’ visits, deepening the achievements of the "Belt and Road" cooperation. For these efforts, CIETAC was honored with the 5th Belt and Road Legal Services Special Contribution Award and the Innovative Exemplary Case Award.

(2) New achievements were made in the construction of China-Central Asia arbitration community with a shared future. In 2023, the first China-Central Asia Arbitration Forum was held in Urumqi, Xinjiang, focusing on the new development of China-Central Asia international arbitration, attended by the heads of arbitration institutions from 15 countries and regions in the Central Asia, with more than 400 participants attending in person. The forum was simultaneously broadcasted globally in three languages, with around 25 million online participants’ visits. The forum further promoted cooperation in arbitration, legal, economic and trade exchanges between China and the Central Asia. Additionally, the China-Central Asia Hearing Center of CIETAC was established in Urumqi, Xinjiang. In less than 45 days of its establishment, two foreign-related cases were heard at the center. The center gives full play to Xinjiang's role as a core area of the "Belt and Road" and a gateway to western opening-up, actively contributing to the creation of a new regional hub for arbitration service.

(3) New developments were achieved in serving enterprises. Through activities such as "walking into the enterprise, into the industries, into the law firms, and into the campuses", in 2023, CIETAC conducted over 200 research and discussions with major enterprises, industry associations across the country, and other users, aiming to gain an in-depth understanding of the needs of market entities and enhance the ability of enterprises to prevent risks through arbitration. To better serve the overall national strategies, CIETAC has successfully organized more than 130 online and/or in-person arbitration activities, such as the “CIETAC Live” and the CIIAF Annual Conference, with the online visits and in-person participants reaching over 10 million. CIETAC also successfully held the Rule of Law and Cooperation Forum, a parallel forum of the 2023 Global Business and Law Conference, to promote the construction of a market-oriented, rule-of-law and international business environment. In addition, CIETAC set up exhibition booths at the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the China International Supply Chain Expo, providing full-chain, one-stop, internationalized commercial legal services, and contributing to the stability and flow of global industrial supply chains.

(4) CIETAC contributed to the new role in supporting the national intellectual property rights strategy. On the eve of the  World Intellectual Property Day, CIETAC successfully held the Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution Forum 2023 on the first day of the National Intellectual Property Promotion Week 2023, released the Annual Report on International Arbitration of Intellectual Property Rights in China (2022), and put forward suggestions for the development of China's intellectual property arbitration by following up on the dynamics of domestic and foreign intellectual property legislations and researches, systematically summarizing the hot and challenging issues in intellectual property arbitration, and analyzing the typical domestic and international intellectual property arbitration cases. The report is the first report in China focusing on international arbitration of intellectual property rights and is of great significance for promoting the awareness of intellectual property protection, the rule of law construction, and enhancing the credibility and influence of China in the field of international intellectual property arbitration.

IV. Widely engaged in international communication and cooperation, and demonstrated the new vitality of China’s arbitration.

(1) China Arbitration Week was full of highlights, attracting worldwide attention. The China Arbitration Week is the annual brand event of China’s arbitration, with Beijing as the main venue. This year, 76 seminars were held in 37 cities across the world, including Paris, Brussels, St. Petersburg, Vancouver, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR. Dozens of foreign institutions including the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and more than 400 domestic and foreign entities deeply engaged in the events. Domestic and foreign arbitration legal experts were invited to discuss the new development of international arbitration, look into the new prospects of international arbitration, enhance understanding and build consensus, with tens of millions of online participant visits and in-person participants joining the events. China Arbitration Week has become the most influential and largest arbitration event  at home and abroad over the years, demonstrating the influence and cohesion of China’s arbitration on the global stage. The major events of this year’s China Arbitration Week included the China Arbitration Summit and the 3rd Belt and Road Arbitration Institutions Forum, the Press Conference of the New CIETAC Arbitration Rules and the Annual Report on International Commercial Arbitration in China (2022-2023), the Tang Lecture, the Arbitration Night, the China Youth Arbitration Forum, the BRICS Arbitration Forum and other well-known classic events. In addition, there are excellent jointly held overseas seminars on investment litigation and arbitration in Portuguese-speaking countries, the impact of European green policies on business strategy and arbitration, and the new challenges of Environment, Society, and Governance (ESG) on international commercial arbitration, etc. China Arbitration Week has become an important window to show China's achievements on the rule of law and a cutting-edge platform to promote the development of international arbitration.

(2) China Arbitration Summit achieved fruitful results and profound significance. This year, the China Arbitration Summit was jointly hosted by CIETAC and UNCITRAL with the theme of “International Arbitration Riding on the New Wave of Sci-Tech Revolution and Industrial Transformation”. It focused on cutting-edge hot topics such as new developments in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, new observations on international arbitration, and new trends in arbitration development in the era of change. Officials from the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and UNCITRAL attended the Opening Ceremony. More than 500 domestic and foreign judges, arbitrators, lawyers, scholars, and business professionals attended the Summit in person, including nearly 100 heads of more than 30 major foreign arbitration institutions from 25 countries and regions. The live streaming of the Summit received more than 4.12 million visits of online participants from 145 countries and regions. The influence of China Arbitration Summit continues to expand. As the flagship event during the China Arbitration Week, the Summit is highly praised by the domestic and international arbitration communities as one of the most influential events in the field of international commercial arbitration.

(3) International communication and cooperation achieved remarkable results and became more dynamic. On the basis of the cooperation agreements with more than 80 international arbitration institutions and organizations, CIETAC further signed or updated cooperation agreements with 7 international arbitration institutions or organizations, including the Madrid International Arbitration Center, the Chilean Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism (CHICIT), the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution, the Mongolian International Arbitration Center, the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA), and the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). CIETAC also received visits from dozens of international arbitration/legal institutions, including the AIAC, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Madrid International Arbitration Center, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Mongolia International Arbitration Center, the SCCA, and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC). CIETAC was invited to attend more than 20 international arbitration events, such as the 2023 Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Organization (APRAG) Conference, Chambers Forum, SIAC Beijing Conference, 2023 Vietnam Alternative Dispute Resolution Week, APEC Workshop on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), the 8th Oriental Economic Forum (Vladivostok, Russia), and the Belt and Road Commercial Legal Service Sub-Forum of 2023 Eurasian Economic Forum. CIETAC engaged in communication and cooperation with over 60 international dispute resolution agencies and organizations to jointly promote the development of international rule of law. In addition, with respect to the Middle East, CIETAC visited Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and organized 18 high-level and effective activities. CIETAC is the first to propose the initiative to build an international arbitration ecosystem, which has received widespread responses and supports from the international arbitration community, further expanding its international circle of friends.

(4) CIETAC deeply participated and actively engaged in global arbitration governance. As an Observer of UNCITRAL, CIETAC sent its representatives to participate in 7 rule-making sessions on arbitration and mediation, investment dispute resolution, and electronic commerce of 3 relevant Working Groups. CIETAC submitted written feedbacks to UNCITRAL on issues related to early dismissal and preliminary determination, and adjudication international arbitration, international investment dispute mediation and the code of conducts for arbitrators, which were considered and partially adopted. CIETAC also produced 3 Observation Reports with respect to the reform of Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanisms (ISDS), early dismissal and preliminary determination, as well as dispute resolution and adjudication related to technology, which provided references for the community. CIETAC made China’s voice heard and contributed Chinese wisdom. Additionally, CIETAC served as the chair institution of the Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (ADNDRC), organized the ADNDRC Annual Conference and other activities, and participated in relevant meetings for multiple times to actively participate in international internet governance.

5. CIETAC facilitated the training of foreign-related arbitration talents and the construction of think tanks, promoting the construction of foreign-related rule of law to a new prospect.

(1) The CIETAC Cup International Commercial Arbitration Moot reached a new peak in terms of scale and internationalization. The 21st CIETAC Cup attracted over 1,000 contestants from 97 teams representing countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR, totaling 209 competitions, which marked a new record high in terms of the number of participating teams, contestants and competitions. The 21st CIETAC Cup also invited more than 350 domestic and foreign arbitrators, professors, lawyers, and experts from 28 countries and regions around the world to serve as judges, setting new records in terms of the number of nationalities and participants. The Voice of Moot for preparatory training was held for 11 sessions, with over 20,000 online visits, further expanding its international influence. The 4th CIETAC Cup International Investment Arbitration Moot (Pre-Moot for the 15th Frankfurt International Investment Moot in Mainland China) attracted 38 university teams and more than 80 domestic and foreign arbitrators, establishing itself as a leading and benchmark competition for university students in the field of international investment arbitration.

(2) China International Investment Arbitration Forum took an innovative path in the coordinated development of politics, industry and academia as well as the integration of industry and education. In 2019, on CIETAC’s initiative, China International Investment Arbitration Forum (CIIAF) was co-founded by CIETAC together with 8 well-known universities and 4 well-known law firms. The CIIAF is the first professional research platform for international investment arbitration in China and the first national research and cooperation platform for international investment legal theories and practice. Since its establishment, the CIIAF has successfully held a series of activities such as the CIIAF Annual Conference and its Youth Essay Competition, published the Annual Reports of the CIIAF, participated in the international rule-making, provided policy recommendations to the government, and achieved fruitful academic and research results. It is recognized by the academic community and industry that CIIAF has taken an innovative path and has played a positive role in the coordinated development of politics, industry and academia as well as the integration of industry and education.

(3) CIETAC further expanded the achievements of training foreign-related legal talents. The General Office of the Ministry of Education and the Secretariat of the Central Office of Rule of Law approved the establishment of a collaborative training and innovation base for foreign-related legal talents by CIETAC and its sub-commissions in collaboration with 7 well-known universities. CIETAC has become the practice unit with the most approved collaborative bases with universities. CIETAC signed cooperation agreements with nearly 20 universities to establish joint training courses on international arbitration master’s programs and foreign-related lawyer master’s programs, provided practical guidance to train foreign-related legal talents. CIETAC held a specialized training program for foreign-related lawyers of MOJ, with over 100 foreign-related lawyers participating, to promote the training of high-end foreign-related inter-disciplinary talents.

(4) CIETAC actively provided opinions and suggestions for the legislation and law amendment. CIETAC paid close attention to and actively participated in the process of the amendment of the Arbitration Law, and submitted over 50,000 words of legislative suggestions to the MOJ, and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). CIETAC made more than 10 submissions of suggestions and opinions on various legislative amendments or guiding documents, such as the Civil Procedure Law, the Financial Stability Law, the Trademark Law, and the Foreign State Immunity Law, to relevant organs or industry associations such as the National People’s Congress (NPC). CIETAC provided 4 professional research reports to the CPPCC, the SPC, and the MOJ on promoting the healthy development of arbitration under the new situation.

(5) CIETAC steadily carried out researches on foreign-related rule of law in arbitration. CIETAC accomplished the researches and publications of the “Annual Report on International Commercial Arbitration in China”, “Research on the International Arbitration System in Countries along the Belt and Road”, “Selected Arbitration Awards Involving the ‘Belt and Road’ Countries and Regions”, “Research on the Status of Dispute Resolution of the Belt and Road”, and the “Selected English CIETAC Arbitration Awards”, etc. By summarizing the current situation and experience of the development of China’s international commercial arbitration, CIETAC provided valuable practical references for enterprises that are “going global” to prevent legal risks.

II. 2024 Work Plan

2024 is a crucial year for the implementation of the 14th Five Year Plan. CIETAC aims to build an international first-class arbitration institution, deepen the reform of the arbitration system, promote the digitalization, intelligence, and informatization development of arbitration, provide high-standard, high-level international arbitration services. CIETAC will also strive to uphold the independence, impartiality, and efficiency of arbitration, enhance the credibility of arbitration, and demonstrate new achievements in the new era and new journey.

1. Promoting the construction of international arbitration center, and serving a higher level of opening-up.

Taking China's vigorous promotion of the pilot project for the construction of international arbitration center as an opportunity, CIETAC will actively learn from and connect with the international high-standard arbitration system, maintain the advanced and leading nature of arbitration service, seize the development opportunities of the national opening-up strategy and actively serve and integrate into high-level opening-up. CIETAC will also focus on the domestic and international dual circulation and promotion, continuously enhance its competitiveness and influence in serving both the domestic and international markets, serve the needs of pillar industries and emerging industries, strengthen strategic linkage in the Greater Bay Area, the Xiong'an New Area, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region and the Hainan Free Trade Port, etc. CIETAC will make the best use of its domestic and overseas sub-commissions, its ASEAN Oral Hearing Center and Central Asia Oral Hearing Center to promote a higher level of opening-up.

2. Consolidating the foundation of business development, and providing high-quality arbitration service.

CIETAC will continue to deepen its arbitration reform, strengthen the building of the institution and the staff team, and improve the capacity and quality of arbitration service. CIETAC will improve the quality and efficiency of case management, optimize the case management process, and accelerate the construction of online dispute resolution platforms and the digital institution. CIETAC will also utilize the advantages of its new arbitration rules, introduce guidelines, strengthen researches on cutting-edge arbitration practices, publish selected awards of specific industries, and meet the needs of diversified dispute resolution. CIETAC will vigorously strengthen the team building of arbitrators and case managers, and comprehensively strengthen risk prevention and control. Thereby, CIETAC will strengthen the regular supervision and management of the arbitrators and improve the arbitrator disclosure system, promote the professional development of the staff team, ensure the integrity, fairness, and legitimacy of the arbitration proceedings, and continuously contribute to the development of arbitration in China.

3. Strengthening the training of foreign-related legal talents, and promoting the construction of China’s rule of law.

The training of legal talents is an important part of the comprehensive rule of law. CIETAC shall vigorously carry out trainings and dialogues on foreign-related arbitration, accelerate the cultivation of a group of professional talents with strong professional qualities, familiarity with international rules, and a combination of moral and legal education. CIETAC will expand the brand influence of CIETAC Cup and improve the practical skills of young students in international arbitration. CIETAC will also deepen the joint talent training programs with domestic and foreign universities, and cultivate reserve talents for foreign-related legal construction. CIETAC will organize activities such as thesis competition and research projects, and build a platform to help professional talents to come to the fore. CIETAC will convene arbitration legal experts and scholars to strengthen researches on the annual reports of international arbitration and contribute high-quality intellectual achievements.

4. Enhancing international communication and cooperation, and jointly promoting the development of international arbitration.

CIETAC will continue to host influential arbitration brand events such as China Arbitration Week and China Arbitration Summit, build high-level international arbitration platforms for dialogues such as China-Middle East-North Africa Arbitration Forum, strengthen exchanges with international organizations such as UNCITRAL, actively participate in UNCITRAL Working Group II, III and IV sessions, deeply participate in international rule-making, and widely engage in professional exchanges in international arbitration. CIETAC will enhance communication and consensus with the international arbitration legal community, expand and deepen international arbitration cooperation, expand the circle of international arbitration friends, and jointly promote the important role of international arbitration in resolving international economic and trade disputes and promoting international economic development.

Looking into the future, CIETAC will continue to strive and forge ahead, deeply implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of the new development pattern, comprehensively promote the high-quality development, and forge a new chapter in the development of arbitration in the new era and the new journey.