The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) Ningbo Hearing Center, which opened on Jan 8, is set to provide Ningbo-based companies with a new platform to safeguard their overseas interests.

CIETAC is China's earliest-established institution specializing in international and domestic commercial arbitration and is recognized as one of the world's leading permanent arbitration bodies, ranking among the top five most popular arbitration institutions globally.

From 2023 to 2025, CIETAC handled 200 cases involving Ningbo parties, with disputes totaling 9.67 billion yuan ($1.38 billion), accounting for a significant share of Zhejiang province's caseload.

The establishment of the Ningbo Hearing Center now enables enterprises to access authoritative, professional arbitration services locally.

According to Hu Tianming, vice-president and secretary-general of the Ningbo Toy and Juvenile Products Association, many firms in the sector have faced overdue overseas payments, unjustified product returns, and intellectual property infringement. Due to the complexity and duration of cross-border legal procedures, many small and medium-sized enterprises have struggled to effectively defend their rights.

Hu noted that the new center will help companies obtain timely rulings, reduce hidden risks, such as misinterpretation of standards, and enhance the global competitiveness of Ningbo-made products.

As a key venue for CIETAC hearings and international legal cooperation, the center will offer global professional resources, deliver efficient, cost-effective dispute resolution services, and help build a collaborative legal ecosystem.