On October 18, 2024, the 12th Annual Corporate Legal Affairs Conference, with the theme “High-Quality Rule of Law Safeguarding High-Quality Development”, was held in Beijing. The conference was hosted by the Legal Daily,  and co-organized by the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”), the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center),  and the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration.  Attendees and speakers including Zhang Sujun, Member of the Party Group and Vice President of the China Law Society,  and Executive Deputy Director of the China Cares for the Next Generation Working Committee;  Jiang Bixin, Distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Hunan University;  Sun Zhiyong, Party Secretary and President of the Legal Daily; Wang Dan, Deputy Director of the Department of Law and Regulations at the State Administration for Market Regulation;  Gu Yan, Vice President of CIETAC Court of Arbitration; Ma Yi, Vice President of the Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai  and Deputy Director of the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center); and Zhao Feng, Secretary General of the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration. Wang Xiang, Director of the Legislative Planning Office and Spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee,  delivered keynote speeches on the topic of “The Implementation of the New Company Law and Legislative Planning Related to Enterprises.”

(Conference Venue)

Vice President Gu Yan emphasized in his address that a high-quality legal environment plays an important role in attracting investment, promoting technological innovation, and maintaining market order. High-quality rule of law also provides businesses with clear expectations, reduces legal risks, and strengthens the confidence of domestic and international investors. Arbitration, as an important method for resolving commercial disputes, plays an increasingly significant role in fostering a legal business environment and promoting high-quality development. Gu Yan illustrated CIETAC’s efforts in advancing high-quality development in arbitration over the past 30 years since the promulgation of the “Arbitration Law of the People’s Republic of China”. These efforts include the growth of key metrics in CIETAC’s case management, the increasing internationalization of cases, the integration of CIETAC’s new “Arbitration Rules” with the latest international arbitration theories and practices, the high standards, professionalism, and internationalization of CIETAC’s panel of arbitrators, and the formation of CIETAC’s new pattern of diversified dispute resolution services. These achievements highlight the contributions made by Chinese arbitration institutions, represented by CIETAC, to the high-quality development of arbitration in China.

He stated that in the future, CIETAC will continue to adhere to the concept of high-quality development, while providing higher-quality and more efficient arbitration services to domestic and international users. CIETAC will also actively participate in international arbitration affairs, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with domestic and international arbitration institutions, promote the leapfrog development of international arbitration in the new era, and contribute to the construction of international commercial arbitration centers.

(Vice President Gu Yan Gave the Speech)

This year’s annual conference featured two sub-forums with the themes “Enterprise Development and Risks Amidst a New Round of Technological Revolution and Industrial Transformation” and “Optimizing the Rule of Law Business Environment to Safeguard the Sound Development of the Private Economy”. Nearly 30 experts gave keynote speeches on topics such as “Legal Safeguards for Modern Enterprises”, “New Changes, Trends, and Responses to Enterprise Risks”, and “Experience Sharing in Building a Rule of Law Business Environment”. Additionally, specialized discussions were held on the themes of “Enterprise Risk Resolution and Dispute Resolution Solutions” and “Theoretical Innovations and Typical Experiences in Optimizing the Rule of Law Business Environment”. The conference attracted nearly 200 participants to attend in person.