Recently, Ms. Cai Mengfei and Mr. Yang Lun, attorneys from Beijing Longan (Guangzhou) Law Firm, visited Hong Kong to participate in a series of exchange events in the field of international arbitration. During their visit, they met with representatives at the CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center and were invited to the Welcome Reception for New Co-Chairs hosted by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). They engaged in discussions with representatives from international arbitral institutions, law firms, corporate legal departments, and professional service organizations to explore trends and cooperation opportunities in international commercial dispute resolution.

During their stay in Hong Kong, Ms. Cai Mengfei and Mr. Yang Lun visited the CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center and were warmly received by Ms. Tao Yi, Assistant to the Secretary-General, and other staff members.

Ms. Cai Mengfei (left) with Ms. Tao Yi, Assistant to the Secretary-General of CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center (right)

The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) is one of the earliest established and most internationally influential permanent arbitral institutions in China. As a key platform in CIETAC’s global strategy, the Hong Kong Arbitration Center has long been dedicated to advancing international commercial dispute resolution mechanisms and plays a significant role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the legal development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Ms. Tao Yi, Assistant to the Secretary-General of CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center (left), with Mr. Yang Lun (right)

During the meeting, the two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including arbitration development in the Greater Bay Area, trends in international arbitration practice, cross-border commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, and the cultivation of young legal professionals. Through this exchange, the Longan attorneys gained a deeper understanding of the latest developments and institutional innovations in Hong Kong’s arbitration market, laying a solid foundation for broader professional exchanges and cooperation in the future.

Group photo of Longan lawyers and CIETAC Hong Kong staff. From left to right: Ou Jintao (Legal Counsel, CIETAC Hong Kong), Cai Mengfei (Lawyer), Wang Haocheng (Deputy Secretary-General, CIETAC Hong Kong), Yang Lun (Lawyer), Tao Yi (Assistant to the Secretary-General of CIETAC Hong Kong), Wang Jiamin (Assistant Legal Counsel, CIETAC Hong Kong).

Subsequently, Ms. Cai and Mr. Yang were invited to the “Welcome Reception for New Co-Chairs” hosted by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).

HKIAC is one of the world’s most influential arbitral institutions, consistently ranking among the top international arbitral bodies and enjoying a strong reputation in Asia and globally for commercial dispute resolution. In 2025, the HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules were ranked the second most preferred arbitral rules worldwide in the Queen Mary University of London and White & Case International Arbitration Survey.

The reception was held to welcome the two new Co-Chairs who will formally take office on July 1, 2026 – Ms. Domitille Baizeau, a partner at LALIVE in Switzerland, and Mr. Victor Dawes SC, a Senior Counsel of Temple Chambers (Hong Kong). Ms. Baizeau has served as a member of the HKIAC Council since 2020 and is also a member of the Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA). Mr. Victor Dawes SC is a former Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association and currently serves as a Recorder of the High Court of Hong Kong.

Scene of the HKIAC Welcome Reception for New Co-Chairs

The reception brought together guests from arbitral institutions, law firms, corporate legal departments, and professional service organizations to celebrate a new chapter in HKIAC’s development.

At the event, members of the HKIAC Council, Standing Committee, and Secretariat engaged in extensive exchanges with arbitrators, lawyers, corporate counsel, and representatives from professional bodies across various jurisdictions, discussing the latest trends in international arbitration and emerging opportunities in Asia’s dispute resolution market.

Networking at the reception. The event attracted numerous international arbitration practitioners, fostering a vibrant atmosphere for dialogue.

As one of the key annual networking events in the international arbitration community, the reception provided a high-level platform for professionals in Hong Kong and beyond. During the event, Ms. Cai Mengfei and Mr. Yang Lun had in-depth conversations with legal professionals from Hong Kong and overseas, exchanging views on arbitration practice, cross-border dispute resolution mechanisms, and cooperation in foreign-related legal services, thereby deepening their understanding of cutting-edge developments in international arbitration.

Networking and tea break session. The event featured a special tea break and open networking session, creating a relaxed and welcoming environment for all participants.

As the Greater Bay Area continues to develop and Chinese companies accelerate their global expansion, international arbitration has become a key mechanism for cross-border commercial dispute resolution. Longan Guangzhou has consistently monitored developments in international arbitration and foreign-related dispute resolution, actively participating in international legal exchanges and cooperation to continuously enhance its cross-border dispute resolution capabilities.

To date, Ms. Cai Mengfei and Mr. Yang Lun have represented clients in a number of high-profile cross-border legal matters, including the recognition and enforcement of high-value foreign judgments in the Chinese mainland, foreign-related marital and succession disputes, as well as investment and cooperation disputes between Chinese and foreign enterprises resolved via litigation, arbitration, and mediation procedures in the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and other international dispute resolution institutions. Their service scope also covers export control and sanctions compliance, response work for product recalls of Chinese goods in the U.S. market, and trademark protection and enforcement for Chinese brands in overseas jurisdictions. By adopting diversified dispute resolution mechanisms including litigation, arbitration, and mediation, the two attorneys have effectively protected the lawful rights and interests of many well-known entrepreneurs both at home and abroad. They assist clients in safeguarding brand reputation and improving market competitiveness in dispute resolution proceedings, and provide clients with comprehensive and multi-dimensional foreign-related legal services.

Looking ahead, Longan Guangzhou will continue to leverage the strategic advantages of the Greater Bay Area, deepen exchanges and cooperation with international arbitral institutions and professional organizations, and further elevate its expertise in international commercial dispute resolution, so as to provide high-quality, efficient, and professional legal services to clients both at home and abroad.

About CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center

The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), established in 1956, is one of the major permanent commercial arbitration institutions in the world, and is the oldest and most internationally influential arbitral institution in China. Established in 2012 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center (CIETAC Hong Kong) is the first sub-branch established by CIETAC outside the Chinese mainland. CIETAC Hong Kong administers cases under CIETAC Arbitration Rules and in accordance with the Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance, and the awards rendered are Hong Kong awards. Leveraging Hong Kong’s sound arbitration law and common law system, CIETAC Hong Kong is committed to promoting arbitration services in Hong Kong, conducting exchanges and cooperation with international arbitral institutions, and administering arbitration cases as agreed by the parties. The establishment of CIETAC Hong Kong not only enriches the legal services available in Hong Kong but also provides parties with more diverse arbitration options in Hong Kong.

About Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre

Established in 1985 by leading members of the Hong Kong business community and professionals, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) was created to meet the growing demand for dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region amid global trade growth. HKIAC is a leading dispute resolution institution specializing in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation, adjudication, and domain name dispute resolution. HKIAC’s primary functions include providing neutral, efficient case management services and assisting parties in appointing arbitrators under HKIAC rules. Furthermore, under the Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance, HKIAC is the statutory appointing authority for ad hoc arbitrations where Hong Kong is the seat of arbitration. HKIAC is renowned for its “light-touch, user-centric” approach, respecting party autonomy and efficiency while ensuring procedural fairness. Over its four decades, HKIAC has handled more than 13,000 cases involving parties from over 100 jurisdictions.