On the afternoon of 11 October 2024, the seminar entitled "When China Meets Chile: Opportunities and Challenges in Cross-Border Dispute Resolution", co-organized by China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), CAM Santiago, the Chilean Chinese Enterprises Association, and the Representative Office of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Chile, and hosted by CAREY, a local law firm in Chile, was successfully held in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Over 80 representatives from the arbitration community, legal profession and the academia of Latin America, and the business communities of both China and Chile attended the seminar.

Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CIETAC; María Agnes Salah, Chair of the CAM Santiago; and Pablo Iacobelli, Executive Partner of CAREY Law Firm, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

In his speech, Secretary-General Wang Chengjie recalled the long-standing friendship and increasingly close trade and investment relations between China and Chile, briefly introducing the latest developments of CIETAC's institutional construction and growth. He emphasized that with the growing economic exchanges between China and Chile, the corresponding demand for dispute resolution is also increasing, making this seminar right on time. He expressed the hope that the meeting would enhance mutual understanding between the legal and business communities of both countries, strengthen trust and communication, and further support the healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

(Speech delivered by Secretary-General Wang Chengjie)

Chair María Agnes Salah recounted the successful hosting of the second World Mediation Summit and expressed her honor in participating deeply in the seminar. She noted that China is Chile's most important economic and trade partner, with shared goals and visions between the dispute resolution institutions of both nations. She hoped that this meeting would strengthen mutual understanding and update consensus, laying a solid foundation for closer cooperation in the future.

(Speech delivered by Chair María Agnes Salah)

Lawyer Pablo Iacobelli mentioned that CAREY Law Firm had a long-standing friendly cooperation with China, providing legal services for numerous Chinese enterprises entering Chile. He pointed out that China has become Chile's primary economic and trade partner and that Chinese companies are a major source of investment in Chile, leading to an increase in disputes and conflicts. He stressed the importance of close cooperation with reputable dispute resolution institutions and hoped the seminar would promote communication and understanding in the field of dispute resolution between China and Chile.

(Speech delivered by Lawyer Pablo Iacobelli)

The seminar was divided into two sections for presentations and discussions. The first session focused on “Overview of the Dispute Resolution Systems in China and Chile”, moderated by Aldo Molinari, Partner of the arbitration and litigation team at CAREY Law Firm. Lu Fei, Director of the Business Development Division of CIETAC, introduced the legal framework of China’s arbitration from the perspectives of cultural and legal differences, and the characteristics and advantages of CIETAC's case management processes. Chair María Agnes Salah presented an overview of the CAM Santiago, including the qualifications of arbitrators, the process of making and enforcing awards, and the innovative practice of the e-CAM online case management platform. Ricardo Riesco, Board Member of the CAM Santiago and Partner at BERING Asesores, detailed the arbitration culture and historical practices in Chile. Juan Carlos Riesco, Partner of the arbitration and litigation team at CAREY Law Firm, shared insights on the legal and institutional advantages of Chile as an arbitration seat.

(Speakers for Session I, from left to right: Director Lu Fei, Chair María Agnes Salah, Mr. Ricardo Riesco and Lawyer Juan Carlos Riesco)

The second session delved into “Strategies and Practical Experiences in Legal Risk Prevention and Dispute Resolution,” moderated by Alberto Cardemil, Partner and Head of the China Business Department at CAREY Law Firm. Brad Wang, Vice Secretary-General of the CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center, briefly introduced the development history and significance of the CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center, emphasizing its unique advantages in asset preservation, emergency arbitrator procedure, and pre-arbitral matters. Zhou Haibo, General Manager of the Chile branch of China International Water & Electric Corporation, shared an overview of Chinese enterprises' development in Chile, the legal disputes they faced, and their strategies for addressing these issues. Cristián Conejero, Partner at Cuatrecasas Law Firm, shared his experiences on managing core issues in arbitration procedures. Julio Pellegrini, Partner at Pellegrini & Rencoret and ICSID mediator, introduced relevant information regarding the acceptance and handling of ICSID cases.

(Speakers for Session II, from left to right: Vice Secretary-General Brad Wang, General Manager Zhou Haibo, Lawyer Cristián Conejero and Lawyer Julio Pellegrini)

During the closing ceremony, Chief Representative Zhou Kai of the Representative Office of CCPIT in Chile and Secretary-General Wang Chengjie delivered closing remarks.

Zhou Kai introduced the Representative Office's mission and vision in facilitating Chinese-Chilean economic and trade cooperation, expressed gratitude to the organizers and attendees, and looked forward to establishing closer ties and cooperation with all parties involved.

(Speech delivered by Chief Representative Zhou Kai)

Secretary-General Wang Chengjie congratulated the successful holding of the seminar and thanked the speakers for their thorough preparation and the attendees for their attentive participation. He expressed optimism about the prospects for cooperation in dispute resolution between China and Chile.

Members of the CIETAC delegation took the opportunity during the seminar to engage in extensive exchanges and interactions with the representatives from Chilean dispute resolution institutions, law firms, in-house counsel, and academics.

This seminar was organized efficiently and created a lively atmosphere, receiving high praise from participants and laying a beneficial foundation for communication and cooperation in dispute resolution between China and Chile.