On 25 October, 2020, China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) co-hosted The 2020 High-level Dialogue on International Commercial Arbitration under the Belt and Road Initiative with China International Chamber of Commerce (ICC China), ICC International Court of Arbitration and China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), supported by Beijing Zhizhong Technology Co., Ltd, featured Mr YU Jianlong, Secretary-General of ICC China, Mr Alexander Faisas, Secretary-General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Dr Li Hu, Vice Chairman of CMAC, Mr Gu Yan, Vice President of CIETAC Arbitration Court, Mr FAN Mingchao, Director of ICC North Asia & ADR and other distinguished speakers. The event attracts over a thousand online audience and participants.

The opening ceremony and keynote speech was hosted by Dr HUANG Zhijin of ICC Shanghai Representative Office. Dr Li Hu, Vice Chairman of CMAC delivered a keynote speech titled "The Role of Dispute Prevention and ADR in BRI", discussing the role of ADR mechanisms on dispute prevention and resolution under the Belt and Road initiative. Dr Li Hu said that since disputes under "Belt and Road" initiative inevitably involve different jurisdictions, risk and dispute prevention will become a priority. With the enforcement of the Singapore Mediation Convention, commercial mediation has become the third international dispute resolution option along with arbitration and litigation, combined with dispute prevention, forming a dynamic mechanism for dispute resolution under the Belt and Road initiative. Given the special status and advantages of arbitration, commercial arbitration will continue to be the major dispute resolution. Last but not least, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Belt and Road cross-border dispute resolution mechanism has progressed with international cooperation and online dispute resolution. CMAC will continue to improve the depth and breadth of dispute resolution services, and provide better ADR services for commercial entities under the Belt and Road initiative.

Session I was moderated by Professor Lu Song at International Law Department of China Foreign Affairs University, joined by Judge Xi Xiangyang from the Fourth Civil Division of the Supreme People's Court, Bao Qi'an, Vice Chairman of ICC International Arbitration Court, and Mr Rana Sajad, Chairman and Founder of Pakistan International Investment and Commercial Arbitration Center, discussing the latest practice and development of ADR mechanism. Session II was moderated by Dr Chen Jian, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Academy of Arbitration Law (CAAL), featured Mr Mohamed Abdul Wahab, Vice Chairman of ICC International Arbitration Court, Dr Chen Bo, Deputy Secretary-General of CMAC, and Mr Liu Chi of Beijing Junzejun Law Firm, discussing the theoretical and practical issues of virtual hearings.

Dr Chen Bo introduced the legal practice of ODR services and virtual hearings of CMAC, regarding the consent of the parties, cross-examination, witness testimony, and AI-assisted hearings. She said that China's law and practice show a high degree of recognition and flexibility for virtual hearings, and with the development of technology and legal practice, virtual hearings have potential to become a popular option for international arbitration in near future. Therefore exploring on virtual hearings and strengthening international cooperation will be of great significance for the future of International arbitration. Arbitration institutions worldwide may jointly promote online hearings and strengthen cooperation by sharing virtual hearing equipment and venues to benefit the parties to the dispute.