Palabras clave
Revision 2025
China
International Arbitration
Cómo citar
Resumen
The 2025 revision of China’s Arbitration Law constitutes the most comprehensive reform since its original enactment, aiming to modernize the arbitration framework and enhance China’s global competitiveness. Drawing on over thirty years of judicial and institutional experience, the new law introduces a formal definition of the “seat of arbitration” (Article 81), adopting a three-tiered approach—party agreement, arbitration rules, and tribunal determination—closely aligned with the UNCITRAL Model Law and resolving prior ambiguities regarding award validity and nationality. Article 86 permits foreign arbitration institutions to establish branches in designated free trade zones, fostering international cooperation. The principle of Kompetenz-kompetenz is codified (Article 31), granting tribunals the authority to rule on their own jurisdiction. However, courts retain concurrent and prevailing jurisdiction in simultaneous challenges, reflecting a partial alignment with international norms. Article 45 introduces a statutory obligation for arbitrators to disclose circumstances affecting impartiality, harmonizing Chinese law with international standards. Ad hoc arbitration is recognized for the first time (Article 82), but its scope is narrowly limited to foreign-related maritime disputes and certain free trade zone cases, indicating a cautious legislative approach. Online arbitration is codified (Article 11), ensuring procedural efficiency and legal certainty. Collectively, these reforms bring China closer to international best practices, increasing its attractiveness to foreign users, though notable differences—especially strong judicial supervision—remain.
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Articles and books
Andren, M. (2000). Enforcement of arbitral award in the People's Republic of China. Stockholm Arbitration Report, 2000(1).
Deng, Z. (2022). Repeatedly specifying the impact on the qualifications of arbitrators – and also discussing the "Code of Conduct" of the Beijing Arbitration Commission. Beijing Arbitration Quarterly 2022(4) 27-42.
Du, H., & Li, X. (2020). Boundary conflict over parties' autonomy in international commercial arbitration proceedings and balance. Law Review, 2020(2), 167–174.
Fach Gomez, K. (2023). The technological competence of arbitrators: A comparative and international legal study. Springer.
Feng, S. (2024). Revision of China's Arbitration Law from the perspective of foreign-related rule of law. Journal of Shanghai University (Social Sciences Edition), 2024(5), 13–14.
Fu, P. (2022). The doctrine of kompetenz-kompetenz: A Sino-French comparative perspective. Hong Kong Law Journal, 52(1)
Gao, X. (2018). Positive practice of Chinese courts in recognizing and enforcing foreign arbitral awards. China International Commercial Court. available at https://cicc.court.gov.cn/html/1/219/199/203/805.html, last visited on November 20 2025.
Li, X. (2025). On the restrictive provisions of China's Arbitration Law on the principle of autonomy of will in the context of foreign-related rule of law. Commercial Arbitration & Mediation, 2025(1), 7–29.
Lin, J. (2020). Identification of other relationships between arbitrators and arbitration agents. People's Judiciary: Cases Journal, 2(Part 2)
Ling, B. (2020). The rationality of arbitration appointment system in China and its improvement. International Business Research, 2020(6), 86–93.
Mao, X. (2021). Revision of arbitration law from the perspective of empirical legal research: Consensus and differences. Chinese Review of International Law, 2021(6), 110–126.
Mao, X., Wang, J., & Liu, H. (2023). Research on the development of the international arbitration center and the Chinese path. China Social Sciences Press.
Moser, M. J., & Yeoh, F. (2006). Interpretation on several issues concerning the application of the (PRC Arbitration Law) 4500/06.08.23. Stockholm International Arbitration Review, 2006(3).
Press conference held by the Chinese Ministry of Justice in 2025 to introduce the revised Arbitration Law, available at https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/sfbxwfbhzb/2025nsfbfbh/acf20250925/
Song, C. (2025). Research on the professionalization of arbitration in the amendment of the Arbitration Law. Journal of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, 31–43.
Sun, W. (2011). Chinese commercial arbitration law and practice. Law Press China.
Sun, W. (2023). Discussion on several issues concerning the composition of arbitration tribunals in Chinese commercial arbitration procedures. Beijing Arbitration Quarterly, 2023(2), 121–131.
Wang Jianing, My country's 285 arbitration commissions have handled more than 5 million arbitration cases, Xinhua News Agency, 29.09.2025, http://www.news.cn/20250929/e9bf2af80e084f6da50fe505c4ee1de8/c.html
Xiao, Y., & Long, W. (2009). Enforcement of international arbitration agreements in Chinese courts. Arbitration International, 25(4), 575.
Yang, L. (2016). Reform and trend of development of arbitration system of modern and contemporary China. Journal of Nantong University: Social Sciences Edition, 2016(3), 37–43.
National laws and regulations
Arbitration Law (Revised Draft for Comments), July 30, 2021, available at: https://zqyj.chinalaw.gov.cn/readmore?id=4518
Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China (2009 Amendment), CLI.1.167108, https://www.pkulaw.com/chl/086fab679703baf4bdfb.html
Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China (2017 Amendment), CLI.1.301395, https://www.pkulaw.com/chl/83c8fbd6da8a6eb8bdfb.html
Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China, CLI.1.9590, https://www.pkulaw.com/chl/18030217cb21d195bdfb.html
Arbitrator Management Regulations, Regulations on the Examination of Arbitrator Conduct of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, available at: https://www.cietac.org/articles/25133
China Maritime Law Association Ad Hoc Arbitration Rules, available at: http://www.cmla.org.cn/index.php?catid=39
China Maritime Law Association Ad Hoc Arbitration Service Rules, available at: http://www.cmla.org.cn/index.php?catid=40
Code of Conduct for Arbitrators of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, available at: https://www.cietac.org/articles/25131
Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, see https://www.gziac.cn/zcgz/6453
Hengqin Pilot Free Trade Zone Ad Hoc Arbitration Rules released by the Zhuhai International Arbitration Court, available at: http://www.zcia.cn/info/693.html
Shanghai Arbitration Commission see: http://www.accsh.org/story.html?id=6
Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Arbitration Rules see: https://www.shiac.org/pc/SHIAC?moduleCode=arbitrate_rules&securityId=AemPnu8_EA7m8anaza734A
Shanghai Measures for Promoting Foreign-Related Commercial and Maritime Ad Hoc Arbitration, available at: https://sfj.sh.gov.cn/2020jcgk_gfxwj/20240621/30d3dc89abfd4edfb04a5e77f5943ca3.html
Shanghai Regulations on Promoting the Construction of an International Commercial Arbitration Centre, available at: https://sww.sh.gov.cn/swfz-flfg/20240104/3b7374df0f1641ec92966bfc31fa4e53.html
Shenzhen International Arbitration Court Arbitration Rules, Available at: https://www.scia.com.cn/arbitrate/rule/2025.html
Xi'an Arbitration Commission Arbitration Rules (2023) Available at: http://www.xaac.org/guide.php?cid=115
Case-law
Beijing Hesheng North China Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. v. China Construction Fourth Engineering Division Co., Ltd., Beijing Third Intermediate People's Court, Available at:https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/
Beijing Xichuang Investment Management Co., Ltd. v. Zhao Yuanxian, Beijing Forth Intermediate People’s Court, Available at: https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/
Beijing Zhongtai Yuesheng Culture Development Co., Ltd. v. Guangdong Dadi Cinema Line Co., Ltd., Beijing Fourth Intermediate People's Court, Available at:https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/
Global Transit Trading (S) Pte. Ltd. v. Ningbo Haitian Holding Group Co. Ltd., Intermediate People's Court, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, March 14 2024, (2024) Zhe 02 XieWai Ren No. available at: https://www.newyorkconvention.org/court-decisions/china-pr-53
Guiding Case No. 196 of the Supreme People's Court: Yunyu Co. Ltd. v Shenzhen Zhongyuancheng Commercial Investment Holdings Co. Ltd., Deliberated and adopted by the Judicial Committee of the Supreme People's Court, issued on December 27, 2022), available at: https://lawinfochina.com/display.aspx?id=7121&lib=case
Judicial Interpretation No. 7 of 2006, Supreme People's Court, Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China, Adopted by the Judicial Committee of the Supreme People's Court on December 26, 2005, available at: https://www.court.gov.cn/fabu/xiangqing/1053.html
Machinery Company v. Technology Company, Beijing Fourth Intermediate People's Court, available at: https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/
Notice of the Supreme People's Court on Issues concerning the Execution of Hong Kong Arbitral Awards in the Mainland, No. 415 [2009] of the Supreme People's Court, December 30 2009, available at: https://www.lawinfochina.com/display.aspx?lib=law&id=11368
Reply from the Supreme People's Court to the Request for Instructions on the Case of German Schuprin International GmbH v. Wuxi Woko General Engineering Rubber Co., Ltd. for Confirmation of the Validity of the Arbitration Agreement (July 8, 2004, [2003] Min Si Ta Zi No. 23) Supreme People's Court, CLI.3.75330, available at: https://www.pkulaw.com/chl/109503a3fa75a3bdbdfb.html
Reply of the SPC to the Request for Instructions on the Purchase and Sale Contract Dispute between Ningbo Beilun Licheng Lubricating Oil Co., Ltd. and Formal Venture Co. concerning the Validity of the Arbitration Agreement ([2013] Min Si Ta Zi No 74), dated December 5, 2013.
Reply of the Supreme People's Court to the Request for Instructions on Application for Confirming the Validity of an Arbitration Agreement in the Case of Anhui Long Li De Packaging and Printing Co., Ltd. v. BP Agnati S. R. L, No. 13 [2013] of the Civil Division IV of the Supreme People's Court, 03-25-2013 available at: https://www.lawinfochina.com/display.aspx?id=17948&lib=law
Several Opinions on Providing Judicial Services and Safeguards for the Construction of Pilot Free Trade Zones, Circular Fa Fa [2016] No. 34, Supreme People's Court, December 30, 2016.
Shenzhen Qianhai Huashi Mobile Internet Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Zhongke Baiyun New Industry Venture Capital Fund Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court, Available at: https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/
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