From July 30 to Aug 15, 2021, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) hosted the "FDI Moot Shenzhen 2021". Compared to its 2020 session, the competition presented five major characteristics:

First, the competition was upgraded. The FDI Moot Shenzhen 2020 was a warm-up event for the global FDI Moot, while the 2021 session has been upgraded to a fully qualified FDI tournament in China, serving as the only way for Chinese teams to advance to the global FDI Moot.

Second, it attracted more participants. FDI Moot Shenzhen 2021 saw participation from 42 universities, doubling the number from the inaugural event and with a broader scope, with teams from universities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, competing for the 12 entries in the global FDI Moot.

Third, it gained more support from all sectors. This year's event received strong support from 26 international organizations, government agencies, internationally renowned arbitration institutions, and legal professional organizations, including the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Regional Center for Asia and the Pacific (UNCITRAL RCAP), the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR, and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hongkong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality. 28 universities nationwide offered academic support, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Macao. At the same time, 11 well-known law firms provided legal support for the event, which demonstrated the internationalization, professionalism and innovation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.

Fourth, there was higher participation from international professionals. A high-level panel of 343 legal experts from 57 countries and regions worldwide served as judges for the event, creating an international and high-standard environment for the competitors.

Fifth, information technology was widely used in the event. The organizers introduced the eBRAM online arbitration center from the Hong Kong SAR as a technical support provider, ensuring smooth progress of the competition with a highly confidential, secure, and convenient online platform.

After fierce competition in both the preliminary and knockout stages, the China-EU School of Law of the China University of Political Science and Law emerged as the champion, while the University of International Business and Economics won the runner-up title. Beijing Normal University and China University of Political Science and Law secured third place.

Tsinghua University School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law, and Wuhan University received first prize. Beijing Institute of Technology, East China University of Political Science and Law, Tongji University, and Renmin University of China School of Law received second prize. These twelve teams successfully advanced to the global finals. Sun Jiaxuan from UIBE was awarded the title of "Best Oralist" for her outstanding performance.

As one of the major three global moot court competitions, FDI Moot Shenzhen 2021 has received high attention from the international investment law community.

First, it lays the foundation for constructing an international investment joint arbitration center. Alberto Ninio, general counsel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), served as the final judge and said, "It is of great practical significance to effectively promote the development of international investment arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism through the FDI Moot event."

Second, it lays the foundation for the cultivation of international legal talents. The FDI Moot Shenzhen is one of the important measures for Shenzhen to implement the requirements of the overall planning of the domestic and foreign legal systems and to strengthen the cultivation of talents in the foreign legal systems.

Zhao Hong, council member of the SCIA and former chair of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body (2016-2020), served as a final judge and said, "The performances of both sides' advocates are impressive. There are many challenges faced by today's international law, and it is hoped that young legal practitioners will combine their studies and make their own contribution to the development of international law."

Third, it lays the foundation for constructing Shenzhen as a global city. The event further enhanced Shenzhen's international influence by putting the demonstration site in the world spotlight.

Meg Kinnear, secretary-general of the ICSID, said, "We look forward to joining hands to participate in the construction of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Legal-services District and jointly organize more projects in international investment arbitration."

Fourth, it lays the foundation for docking rules in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The governments, arbitration institutions, legal experts, universities, and students from the Greater Bay Area actively participated in this competition, making full use of the advantages of "One Country, Two Systems, Three Jurisdictions."

Teresa Cheng, then secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, said, "Facing adjustments due to the pandemic, the successful organization of the event in collaboration with the SCIA by the eBRAM online arbitration center from Hong Kong as a technical support institution is encouraging."

"Facing the world, embracing the future, toward the youth", Shenzhen will leverage Qianhai as a pivot, demonstrate to the world a more splendid Shenzhen with international arbitration advancement and market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment.