Hong Kong International Arbitration Center in Shanghai - milestone for arbitration in Mainland China

On November 20, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC) announced the opening of a representative office in Shanghai. As the first foreign arbitration institution to set up an office in mainland China, the opening of HKIAC’s office demonstrates its strengthening ties with arbitration in mainland China.

HKIAC’s Shanghai office paves the way for increasing cooperation and exchange with mainland China-based arbitration institutions. However, HKIAC has made it clear that its Shanghai office will not itself administer arbitrations, a reminder that, despite this welcome development for users of international arbitration with a nexus to mainland China, the uncertainties of arbitrating in mainland China remain.