On 23 February 2019, the China International Investment Arbitration Forum (CIIAF) was formally established. CIIAF was initiated by China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and the Law School of Xi’an Jiaotong University, and co-founded by other six universities, including the Law School of Xiamen University, the Law School of Wuhan University, the Law School of Fudan University, the Law School of the University of International Business and Economics, the Law School of Remin University of China and the International Law School of China University of Political Science and Law; and by four law firms, including Zhonglun Law Firm, Beijing Huanzhong & Partners, Global Law Office and EY Chen & Co. Law Firm. On 23 February 2019, the Founders Joint Conference of the Forum was held in Xi’an. Representatives from all the founders attended the conference.

The CIIAF is the first professional research platform in the field of investment arbitration in the Chinese arbitration community. It is also the first nationwide international investment law research platform. The CIIAF serves the OBOR Initiative and the needs of the development on the theory and practice of Chinese international investment law and arbitration. Rooted in China and facing the world, the CIIAFwill gather professionals with profound theoretical and practical experience in the field of international investment law and arbitration and actively promote the research and exchanges thereof. Through holding annual conferences, releasing annual reports and carrying on special project research on international investment law and arbitration, the CIIAF will provide research and think-tank support for government departments, the arbitration and business communities, and build a bridge for communication between the practical and academic circles.

At the Founders Joint Conference, Mr. Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of CIETAC, pointed out that thanks to the 40 years of economic development under the Reform and Opening-up policy, China has transformed from a capital-importing country to a country that lays equal stress on capital-exporting and capital-importing. China has been actively promoting the implementation of the OBOR Initiative, trying to realize the transition from a big country to a strong country, and has begun to participate in global economic governance with a more active and proactive attitude. The establishment of the CIIAF is to conform to the times and meet the needs of national strategy. The CIIAF will take its advantages of a professional platform to study the hot issues in the field of international investment law and arbitration, and support the Chinese government to air China’s view and make China’s proposal in the international community, so as to promote China’s say in the fields of international investment agreements and international investment dispute resolution.

Mr. Wang reckoned that the establishment of the CIIAF can meet the urgent needs of China’s international investment arbitration practice and theoretical development as well. In October 2017, CIETAC issued its Arbitration Rules on International Investment Disputes, the first institutional investment arbitration rules in China and the third in the world, which has filled in the blank in Chinese arbitration in respect of international investment arbitration and formally launched the international investment arbitration business in China. In September 2018, CIETAC issued its Panel of International Investment Arbitrators and enlisted 79 investment arbitrators from 36 countries and regions, all with rich experience in international investment arbitration and high international reputation. In addition, CIETAC has been invited by the UNCITRAL to actively participate in the meetings of the Working Group III on the ISDS reform as an observer organization. China’s theoretical research on international investment arbitration has already taken shape, but also has a lot of room for development. It needs to continue to lay a solid foundation and proceed steadily. The CIIAF can support the development of China’s international investment arbitration through research and exchange efforts. By systematicakl research on international investment arbitration cases, the CIIAF will be able to provide a clearer reference for China’s international investment arbitration practice; by researching on the investment arbitration rules and practice of other international arbitration institutions, the CIIAF can make suggestions for Chinese arbitration institutions to continuously improve the investment arbitration services and enhance the influence of China in the field of international investment arbitration.

Mr. Wang also introduced that the CIIAF is of a public nature,  and its research materials and research productss will be published via its official website, the WeChat official account and other publication channels, which would help scholars, practitioners, and entrepreneurs to better understand the latest development and achievements in the investment law and arbitration, which can promote the deepening of theoretical research and better serve the society.

Professor Shan Wenhua, Dean of the Law School of Xi’an Jiaotong University, moderated the Conference. Representatives from all founder institutions fully discussed the establishement scheme of the CIIAF, signed an MOU together, approved the List of Members for the Chairmen Meeting and the Advisory Committee, and reached a consensus on the working plan and related arrangements for the first year.

The Chairmen Meeting is the decision-making body of the CIIAF, with CIETAC as the Chairman Institution, , the Law School of Xi’an Jiaotong University as Executive Chairman Institution, and other founder institutions as Vice-chairman Institutions.  The CIIAF also invited senior experts in the field of international investment law and arbitration to compose the Advisory Committee.

The Forum will endeavor unremittingly to make positive contributions to the development of China’s international investment law and arbitration.