Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators

Delegates and arbitration practitioners from all over the Greater China Region gathered in Hong Kong to celebrate the formation of the Greater China Arbitration Forum and discussed the opportunities and strategies for the use and development of arbitration in the Region.

The founding members of the Greater China Arbitration Forum (“GCAF”) included Beijing Arbitration Commission, China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei, Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Huizhou Arbitration Commission, Weihai Arbitration Commission, Macau World Trade Centre Macau Voluntary Arbitration Center and Wuhan Arbitration Commission.

Mr. Gary Soo, President of Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, welcomed all at the opening remarks and noted that the Forum would be a good platform for fostering co-operation among arbitral institutions in the Greater China Region for the promotion and enhancement of the use and development of arbitration. Following the keynote speech, the Hon. Mr. Wong Yan Lung, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice of HKSAR witnessed the signing ceremony for the official formation of the Greater China Arbitration Forum. Then, the first annual general meeting of the Forum was proceeded with. In it, Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators was elected as the Chairman of the Forum, the 3 Vice-Chairman were China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei, and Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, Beijing Arbitration Commission was the Hon. Secretary and Wuhan Arbitration Commission was the Hon. Treasurer. The secretariat of the Forum was based in Hong Kong. Its aim was to provide a platform The Forum also targeted at holding biennial conferences at its member’s locations.

The morning and afternoon sessions then followed with productive and interactive discussions and presentations on topics like ‘Trends & Opportunities for Regional Arbitration’ , ‘Arbitral Award Enforcement in the Greater China Region: Procedures & Strategies’, ‘The Role of the Arbitration Institutions in the Choice of the Place for Arbitration’ and ‘Promoting Use of Arbitration in Greater China Region: Cooperation among Arbitration Institutions’. Speakers and moderators included Ms. Wang Hongsong from Beijing Arbitration Commission, Mr. Chen Min from China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Mr. Nigel Li, Prof. Lin Jyun Yi and Mr. Wang Zhixing from Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei, Mr. Chen Zhongqian and Ms. Wang Xizoli from Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, Prof. Edwin Chan, Mr. Wilson Kwan, Mr. Huen Wong, Mr. Sameul Wong and Mr. Raymond Leung from Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, Ms. Teresa Cheng SC and Ms. Sally Harpole from Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Prof. Kang Xiaoqing from Macau Voluntary Arbitration Center, Mr. Li Denghua from Wuhan Arbitration Commission. Other speakers included Mr. Terence Wong, Mr. Samuel Ngo and Ms. Rose Zeng.

The Conference was well received by the delegates and well reported by the media and the arbitration communities.