On May 30, at the invitation of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Netherlands, Mr. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), led a delegation to visit the Netherlands and successfully co-hosted the seminar titled “International Arbitration Practices and Development: CIETAC and the PCA” with PCA at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Dr. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary-General of the PCA, and Mr. Wang Chengjie delivered opening speeches. The seminar attracted over 40 legal professionals from the Netherlands, Belgium, and other European countries.
Founded in 1899 under the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes at the First Hague Peace Conference, the PCA is one of the world’s oldest international dispute resolution institutions, headquartered at the Peace Palace in The Hague. On September 17, 2010, the PCA and CIETAC signed a Cooperation Agreement—marking the first such agreement between the PCA and a Chinese arbitration institution—aimed at jointly promoting international arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. In recent years, CIETAC and the PCA have maintained close engagement and cooperation.
The venue of this seminar—the Peace Palace—was established in 1913 in The Hague, widely known as the “City of International Law.” This event marks the first time a Chinese arbitration institution has co-hosted a seminar at the Peace Palace, showcasing CIETAC’s growing influence in the international legal community and its voice in global dispute resolution.
Opening Speeches: Seeking Common Ground, Advancing Together — Cooperation and Consensus Amid Complexity
Dr. Czepelak opened the seminar with a vivid and engaging speech, quoting the Chinese proverb, “Isn’t it a joy to have friends coming from afar?” to warmly welcome guests from across the world. He noted that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the PCA and CIETAC. The seminar serves as an embodiment of the spirit of that agreement and represents the first joint seminar in the PCA’s history with a Chinese arbitration institution. Dr. Czepelak recognized CIETAC’s growing role in international commercial arbitration and its significant contributions to promoting diversified dispute resolution mechanisms.
He then provided a brief overview of the PCA’s historical development, international presence, and global cooperation initiatives, emphasizing the shared vision and collaboration between the two institutions in areas such as institutional development and reform of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The PCA looks forward to further cooperation with CIETAC in seeking consensus and deepening partnerships in an increasingly complex international environment.
Mr. Wang Chengjie expressed sincere appreciation to the PCA for its thoughtful organization of the seminar. He shared observations on new trends in international arbitration reflected in CIETAC’s recent cases, noting that parties now demand more fairness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility in dispute resolution. Expectations for professional, refined, and internationally recognized arbitration services are rising. Mr. Wang introduced CIETAC’s recent innovations in arbitration rules and practice, internationalization of its arbitrator panel, diversified services, and the application of technology in arbitration management. He emphasized that strengthening international cooperation and advancing arbitration development are shared goals across the global arbitration community. This seminar, jointly held at the Peace Palace, is a significant example of such cooperation and a model of international collaboration.
Panel Discussion: Justice Across Borders, Law in Step with Time — Multidimensional Dialogue on Reform and Practice
Mr. Ma Zhihua, CIETAC arbitrator and partner at DaHui Lawyers, moderated the panel discussion. Four experts from PCA and CIETAC engaged in in-depth discussions on innovative practices and development in arbitration from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
Ms. Katherine Peiffer, Legal Counsel at PCA, offered a systematic review of the PCA’s innovations over its 126-year history, the institution’s expert resources for future development, and its role and exploration in ISDS reform. Ms. Sun Huawei, CIETAC arbitrator and partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm, raised a cutting-edge question based on her experience in investment arbitration: whether arbitral tribunals can properly interpret and apply domestic law in the context of ISDS reform, and proposed potential solutions.
Mr. Meng Ting, CIETAC arbitrator and partner at Jinque Law Firm, discussed specific arbitration scenarios, focusing on multi-contract arbitrations, emergency arbitrator procedures, and third-party funding under CIETAC’s rules, sharing practical experiences. Finally, Ms. Lu Fei, Director of CIETAC’s Business Development Department, highlighted key updates in the 2024 CIETAC Arbitration Rules, including early dismissal, consolidation of arbitrations, multi-contract procedures, and joinder of additional parties, explaining how these innovations contribute to improving case management efficiency and balancing fairness with procedural efficiency.
Closing Remarks and Outlook: Unity from Diversity — Building Consensus to Drive Progress
Ms. Gökçe Uyar, Legal Counsel at the PCA, delivered the closing remarks, praising the depth and timeliness of the seminar. She noted that the experts’ contributions to ISDS reform brought diverse perspectives and valuable suggestions. Participants also reached broad consensus on how arbitration institutions can better utilize technology to meet increasing demands and how CIETAC’s arbitration practices and Chinese experiences can be integrated into global dispute resolution. Institutional cooperation, she said, offers smarter and more efficient solutions for the international arbitration community. Quoting a proverb, “Many hands make light work,” she affirmed that the future of international arbitration lies in unity and collaboration. The successful seminar marks a solid step forward in deepening cooperation between CIETAC and the PCA.
During the seminar, members of the CIETAC delegation held active discussions with legal experts from various European countries on key issues raised in the seminar and shared insights on international arbitration practices.
The seminar was well-organized, engaging, and received highly positive feedback. Attendees agreed that it offered a valuable opportunity to enhance understanding of diversified dispute resolution services and Chinese arbitration law, while also serving as a high-quality platform for fostering international legal exchange and cooperation. The event concluded successfully and fruitfully.
Source: China council For The Promotion of International Trade