On 9 May 2024, the 26th International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Congress Shenzhen Side Event (Shenzhen Side Event) was held at the SCIA Tower in Qianhai Shenzhen. This event was co-hosted by the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (also known as the South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, the Greater Bay Area International Arbitration Center, abbreviated as the “SCIA”) and the South China International Arbitration Center (HK) (SCIAHK), along with the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (DoJ) and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).
Supported by the Supreme People's Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Guangdong Department of Justice, the Shenzhen People's Government, the Shenzhen People's Government Foreign Affairs Office, the Shenzhen People's Government Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and the Qianhai Authority, the Shenzhen Side Event focused on the theme of “The Latest Developments of International Arbitration in China.” Important Chinese mainland guests and Hong Kong guests delivered speeches and thematic discussions to nearly 300 professionals from 36 countries and regions, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, Finland, New Zealand, and the United States. They promoted China's latest developments in international arbitration and the market-oriented, rule-of-law, and international business environment of the Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Area, further enhancing China's global influence and reach.
Mr. Qing Chen, Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, delivered the welcome speech. 
Mr. Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government; Mr. Xiangbin Yang, Director of the Bureau of Public Legal Services Administration; Professor Sibao Shen, Chairman of the SCIA Council, Chairman of China International Economic and Trade Law Association; Ms. Joanne Lau, Secretary-General of the HKIAC, Mr. Victor Dawes SC, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association; and Mr. C. M. Chan, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong; delivered opening speeches.
Subsequently, around four themes—“Multiple Roles of Foreign Practitioners in International Arbitration in China” “Cross-Jurisdictional Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards: Focusing on Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong” “The Latest Practices of International Arbitration in Mainland China and Hong Kong” and “Technological Innovation and the Future of International Arbitration”—professional sharing sessions were conducted. The speakers included Dr. Xiaochun Liu, Executive Director of the SCIAHK, President of the SCIA; Ms. Teresa Cheng SC, Member of the ICCA Advisory Board; Ms. Yanli Si, Deputy Director of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court; Mr. Xiangyang Xi, Second Level Senior Judge of the Supreme People's Court; Dr. Ling Yang, Deputy Secretary-General of HKIAC; Professor Shahla Ali, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong; Mr. Lixing Zhang, Chief Technical Advisor of the SCIA and the Founder of Legal Lab; and Ms. Pui-Ki Emmanuelle Ta, CEO of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre. Dr. Peter Malanczuk, Board Director of the SCIAHK, Council Member of SCIA, and Mr. Ning Fei, Board Member of the ICCA Congress and Managing Partner at Hui Zhong Law Firm, served as moderators for the sharing sessions.
Dr. Anthony Neoh, Chairman of the Board of the SCIAHK, Council Member of SCIA delivered the Closing Remarks
On the afternoon of 9 May, the SCIA organized a visit for the attendees to the SCIA Tower, the First International Commercial Court of the Supreme People's Court, the First Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court, Tencent's headquarters, and DJI's headquarters. The attendees closely experienced the charm of high-tech development closely and the excellent international, market-oriented, and rule-of-law business environment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.
On the evening of 9 May, the Qianhai International Arbitration Exchange was held in Qianhai Shenzhen. Professionals from 36 countries and regions participated, jointly envisioning the future of international arbitration in the Greater Bay Area.
Posted on 14 May 2024
