China – CIETAC’s 2025 Work Report.

CIETAC has issued its 2025 Work Report and this article outlines the key achievements outlined in the Report and plans for 2026. The full Report can be viewed here: CIETAC 2025 Work Report 

Key Achievements in 2025 

1. Record-Breaking Caseload and Increased Internationalization  

1. Historic Volume: CIETAC accepted 5,736 new cases with an aggregate dispute value of RMB228.6 billion, exceeding RMB200 billion for the first time and representing a year-on-year increase of 20.98%. 

2. International Growth: The commission handled 806 foreign-related cases, with parties from 97 countries and regions. Notably, 82 cases involved only non-Chinese parties. 

3. Global Recognition: CIETAC arbitral awards were successfully enforced in at least 10 foreign jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy. 

4. International Standing and Benchmarking: CIETAC was again listed among the world’s top five most preferred international arbitration institutions, with its Arbitration Rules also ranked among the world’s top five most preferred arbitration rules. 

2. Diversity and Complexity of Cases  

1. Significant Increase in large and complex cases: More multi-contract disputes were accepted and complex and high value commercial transactions became more prominent.   

2. Broad Sector Coverage: Cases accepted covered over 70 subcategories across 12 major industries, including construction and engineering, finance, corporate governance, and real estate. 

3. Emerging Sectors: Significant growth was seen in disputes related to frontier technologies (e.g. robotics, semiconductors and intelligent unmanned systems), new energy vehicles, the digital economy, and aerospace. 

4. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): CIETAC accepted 445 BRI-related cases, involving parties from 56 countries and regions and a total dispute value of RMB12.677 billion. 

3. Optimization of Case Management and Enhanced Efficiency  

1. More efficient and streamlined case management: CIETAC effectively managed complex multi-contract and multi-party cases, with 71 case consolidations. 

2. Integrated Mediation: Leveraging its pioneering combined arbitration-mediation mechanism, CIETAC actively encouraged arbitral tribunals to facilitate amicable settlements and in 2025, 22% of concluded cases were settled through mediation. 

3. Digitalization:  

1. A fully redesigned bilingual official website and upgraded smart platform, CIETAC ODR Platform, was launched, which includes online case filing, document exchange, virtual hearings and award delivery, thereby enhancing the convenience of dispute resolution and promoting arbitration as a preferred method for resolving cross-border disputes. 59% of new cases (3,386 cases) were filed online, and one-third of all hearings (2,029 hearings) were conducted online. 

2. Pioneering Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Arbitration were issued, a first for the Asia-Pacific region. 

4. Expanded Global Engagement and Influence  

1. High-Level International Exchanges: CIETAC organized nearly 100 international arbitration events, including the inaugural “China-Africa Arbitration Day” in Cameroon and a seminar at the Peace Palace in The Hague with the Permanent Court of Arbitration. 

2. China Arbitration Week 2025 was expanded to 44 cities across 10 countries, with 112 events and participation from over 500 organizations. 

3. Building regional international arbitration ecosystems: CIETAC successfully held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Arbitration Forum and established the CIETAC China-Africa Trial Center to meet the strong demand from users in China and Africa for high-level dispute resolution services. 

5. Talent Development and Think Tank Contributions  

1. Moot Competitions: CIETAC hosted the 23rd CIETAC Cup International Commercial Arbitration Moot (with 103 teams from across the globe) and the 6th International Investment Arbitration Moot, with a total of 36 law school teams from universities across China participating, with 100 experts from over 10 jurisdictions world-wide serving as arbitrators. 

2. Academic Collaboration: CIETAC strengthened cooperation with 35 domestic and overseas universities to develop specialised training courses, centred on international arbitration and foreign-related lawyer master programs. 

3. Think Tank: CIETACprovided opinions and suggestions for legislation, submitting professional opinions on the enactment or amendment of 11 laws and regulations, including the Arbitration Law. It published five research reports, including the Annual Report on International Commercial Arbitration in China (2024-2025) and Selected Arbitration Cases of Construction Engineering, among others. 

Strategic Vision for 2026 

CIETAC’s 2026 Work Plan includes the following: 

1. Building a World-Class Benchmark: CIETAC will strengthen the development of domestic and overseas branches and expand internationalized and facilitative service measures. It will explore institutional designs that are both aligned with internationally recognized practices and tailored to China’s arbitration realities and endeavour to refine and standardise case management procedures and optimize various mechanisms, such as award scrutiny. 

2. Artificial Intelligence: CIETAC will actively explore integration of artificial intelligence and big data with arbitration, leveraging digital technologies, to enhance the quality and efficiency of arbitration. 

3. New development pattern: CIETAC will bolster regional collaboration in key areas, including, for example, the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. It will also expand arbitration services to new fields and emerging sectors and refine multi-tiered dispute resolution mechanisms.   

4. Broadening international exchanges and cooperation: CIETAC will expand its international arbitration network and continue to proactively participate in the governance of international organisations such as UNCITRAL and take a dynamic role in international rule-making. CIETAC will integrate China’s advanced arbitration practices into the international arbitration rule system and increase China’s voice and leadership in global arbitration affairs. 

5. Promoting talent training: CIETAC will accelerate the enhancement of the CIETAC Cup International Commercial Arbitration Moot and implement cooperation agreements with universities, while providing practical arbitration training for corporate counsel, lawyers and other practitioners. 

6. Think Tank: CIETAC will strengthen legislative advisory work, conduct specialized research on cutting edge international arbitration issues and produce high quality delieverables, such as the Annual Report on International Commercial Arbitration in China. 

Conclusion 

CIETAC’s performance in 2025 demonstrates its rapid development into a leading, innovative, and internationally trusted arbitration institution. By leveraging digital transformation, procedural excellence, and expansive global cooperation, CIETAC is not only responding to the complex demands of modern international commerce but is also actively shaping the future of the global arbitration landscape. 

For further information, please contact:

Genevieve Lam, Deacons

genevieve.lam@deacons.com.hk