The THAC International ADR Webinar Series 2020 hosted by the Thailand Arbitration Center was held online starting from July 24, 2020. On August 4, Vice Chairman and Deputy Secretary-General of CMAC, Dr. Li Hu was invited to host and deliver a speech on the session named "Dispute resolution along the Belt and Road: What are the options?” 

Dr. Li Hu spoke under the topic of “New Development of Chinese Institutional Arbitration in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative from the Perspective of CMAC", introducing the latest developments opportunities and coping strategies of arbitration in China. He said that the Belt and Road initiative brings new opportunities. CMAC is determined to forge ahead, strengthen extensive cooperation with international arbitration institutions, update the Panel of Arbitrators, revise Arbitration Rules, continue to promote the internationalization of arbitration, actively participate in the “One-Stop” Diversified International Commercial Dispute Resolution Mechanism initiated by the Supreme People’s Court and continue to improve the international credibility of arbitration. He pointed out that data shows that China’s arbitration is well recognized by an increasing number of foreign parties. With the high-quality advancement of the Belt and Road initiative, China will become one of the international arbitration venues that the parties are willing to choose. Meanwhile the parties' choices of international arbitration venue will be more diversified.

In summary, Dr. Li Hu spoke about the revision of China’s Arbitration Law that has been put on the agenda. With the revision of the law, China’s arbitration legal environment will further improve. Chinese and foreign arbitration lawyers and arbitrators should enhance mutual understanding, friendly cooperation, and jointly improve arbitration credibility and provide good legal services and legal protection for the Belt and Road endeavors. Foreign arbitration colleagues are very much welcomed to join CMAC’s efforts.

Other guests also discussed issues of arbitration law from different perspectives, such as new challenges emerging from the Belt and Road dispute resolution, investment arbitration mechanisms and trends, and the role of experts in arbitration.

The discussion was joined by all speakers. Dr. Li Hu answered questions from the audience on the revision of China’s Arbitration Law, the development of China's online arbitration, and the Chinese characteristics of institutional arbitration.