On May 9, 2024, the XXVIth Congress of International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA 2024) Shenzhen Side Events were held at the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) headquarters at SCIA Tower, Qianhai, Shenzhen. The ICCA 2024 Shenzhen Side Events were co-hosted by the SCIA and the South China International Arbitration Centre (HK) (SCIAHK), together with Department of Justice of Hong Kong SAR Government and HKIAC. 

With the support of the Supreme People's Court of the PRC, the Ministry of Justice of the PRC, the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, as well as the Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and other relevant departments, the Shenzhen Side Event featured speeches by distinguished guests from the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong SAR, and keynote speeches and seminars are presented under the theme of "The Latest Developments in International Arbitration in China". 

Nearly 300 professionals from 36 countries and regions, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, Finland, New Zealand and the United States, participated the event and exchanged views on the latest advancements in international arbitration in China. It also highlighted Shenzhen's market-oriented, rule-of-law, and internationalized business environment as the pilot demonstration zone, further enhancing China's international influence and communication.

Chen Qing, Member of Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, delivers a welcome speech.

Opening remarks were made by Paul Lam Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP, Secretary for Justice of the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR government; Yang Xiangbin, Director of the Bureau of Public Legal Services Administration of the Ministry of Justice of the PRC, and Prof. Shen Sibao, Chairman of the SCIA Council and Chairman of the China International Economic and Trade Law Association, Victor Dawes, SC, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, C.M. Chan, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Joanne Lau, Secretary-General of HKIAC. 

Paul Lam Ting-kwok , Secretary for Justice of the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR government.

Yang Xiangbin, Director of the Bureau of Public Legal Services Administration of the Ministry of Justice of the PRC.

Prof. Shen Sibao, Chairman of the SCIA Council and Chairman of the China International Economic and Trade Law Association.

Joanne Lau, Secretary-General of HKIAC.

Victor Dawes SC, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association.

C.M. Chan, President of the Law Society of Hong Kong.

Following the opening speeches, experts shared their insights on four key themes: "The Multiple Roles of Foreign Practitioners in China's International Arbitration", "Cross-jurisdictional Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitration Awards: Focusing on Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong", "Recent Practice of International Arbitration in Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong " and "Technological Innovation and the Future of International Arbitration." Prof. Peter Malanczuk, Council Member of the SCIA, and Fei Ning, Member of the ICCA Governing Board, Managing Partner of Huizhong Law Firm hosted the Panel Discussion.

Dr. Liu Xiaochun, President of the SCIA and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SCIAHK.

Teresa Cheng GBM, GBS, SC, JP, Member of the ICCA Advisory Board.

Si Yanli, Deputy Director General of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court of the PRC.

Xi Xiangyang, Judge of the Supreme People's Court of the PRC and China International Commercial Court.

Dr. Yang Ling, Deputy Secretary-General of HKIAC.

Prof. Shahla Ali, Professor of Law and Associate Dean (International Affairs) at the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law.

Zhang Lixing, SCIA Chief Technology Advisor, Founder of Legal Lab.

Pui-Ki Emmanuelle Ta, CEO of EBram.

Prof. Peter Malanczuk, Council Member of the SCIA and Member of the Board of Directors of the SCIAHK.

Anthony Neoh, QC, SC, JP, Vice Chairman of the SCIA Council and Chairman of the Board Directors of the SCIAHK, delivers the closing speech.

In the afternoon, SCIA organized visits of the "Feeling the Innovation: City Tour" for attendees to several prominent locations, including the SCIA Tower, China International Commercial Court, Tencent headquarters of Binhai, and DJI headquarters. These visits showcased the high-tech development and the market-oriented, rule-of-law and internationalized business environment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.

In the evening, professionals from 36 countries and regions gathered to discuss the future of international arbitration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area during the networking reception at the SCIA Tower.