The 3rd Greater China Arbitration Forum (“GCAF”) Conference was successfully held in Taipei on 28 August 2009. Some 100 delegates and arbitration practitioners from all over the Greater China Region gathered in Taipei to exchange information and updates of arbitration practice. There were also 20 delegates from the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators.

Mr. Russell Coleman SC, President of Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators, and Mr. Nigel Li, Chairman of Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei, welcomed all at the opening remarks and noted that the GCAF would be a very useful platform for exchanging information among the arbitration institutions and building the foundation for the furtherance of arbitration law and practice in the Region. The opening remarks were followed by keynote speeches by founding members of the Forum and updates of the development of arbitration in their respective locations.

After the Conference was concluded successfully and fruitfully, in the evening, the general meeting of the Forum was held where the members of the Committee of the Forum for the new term were approved. In other words, the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators continued as the Chairman of the Forum and the 3 Vice-Chairman were China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei, and Guangzhou Arbitration Commission. The Beijing Arbitration Commission continued to serve as the Hon. Secretary and Wuhan Arbitration Commission went on as the Hon. Treasurer. The Secretariat of the Forum was based in Hong Kong. In addition, the Committee confirmed and welcomed the Dalian Arbitration Commission and the Zhengzhou Arbitration Commission as new members of the Forum.

The Conference was well received by the delegates and well reported by the media and the arbitration communities. Most of the delegates ended their trip with a wonderful round the island tour.

By Kenneth Chung, Assistant Hon. Secretary of Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators