On November 8, 2025, the 7th Shanghai International Arbitration Forum (Forum) was successfully held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). As a supporting event of the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), this Forum, themed with “Openness, Cooperation and Win-win”, was co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT Shanghai) and the Shanghai Arbitration Association, and co-organized by CMAC Shanghai Headquarters, the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), and the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (SHIAC).

Mr. Zhang Yahong, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, Mr. Yang Xiangbin, Director of the Public Legal Service Management Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of the PRC, and Mr. Jean Paul Laborde, former UN Assistant Secretary-General, attended the forum and delivered opening speeches. Mr. Zhou Wenjie, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, presided over the opening ceremony.

(Secretary-General Li Hu spoke at the Forum)

Dr. Li Hu, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CMAC, pointed out in his speech that the empowerment of international arbitration by science and technology has developed two major business models: first, the integration of online and offline approaches supported by auxiliary tools; and second, the online migration of core procedures (mostly for simple cases). With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), it is imperative to deepen the integration of technology with arbitration, properly address cybersecurity and data privacy protection, balance efficiency and impartiality, clarify the division of responsibilities between AI and arbitrators, align domestic and international technical standards, and drive arbitration innovation to meet the demands of international shipping and trade.

Ms. Xu Fei, Deputy Secretary-General of CMAC Shanghai Headquarters, also attended the Forum and participated in the “Shanghai Arbitration Night” event.