China Commercial Arbitration — CIETAC, SHIAC & SCIA Explained

China is a leading arbitration jurisdiction under the New York Convention, with major institutions including CIETAC, SHIAC, and SCIA handling thousands of international cases annually.

Major Arbitration Institutions

• CIETAC (中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会) — China's oldest and largest, headquartered in Beijing with sub-commissions in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tianjin
• SHIAC (上海国际仲裁中心) — Shanghai-based, strong in maritime, finance, and trade disputes
• SCIA (深圳国际仲裁院) — Shenzhen-based, focused on technology and Greater Bay Area disputes
• BAC (北京仲裁委员会) — Beijing-based, strong in construction, real estate, and general commercial

Key Features

China is a New York Convention signatory — foreign arbitral awards are enforceable in Chinese courts subject to limited grounds for refusal. Parties can choose foreign governing law, foreign arbitrators, and English-language proceedings in most major institutions.

Model Arbitration Clause

\"Any dispute arising from or in connection with this contract shall be submitted to [CIETAC/SHIAC/SCIA] for arbitration which shall be conducted in accordance with the Commission's arbitration rules in effect at the time of application. The seat of arbitration shall be [Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen]. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English.\"

See also: Dispute Resolution Law Guide