A number of overseas and international arbitration institutions have sent letters of sympathy to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission（CIETAC）of CCPIT recently, expressing concerns over and support for China's combat against the epidemic of COVID 19, as well as confidence in China's victory over the epidemic.

The arbitration institutions, including Cairo Regional Center for International Commercial Arbitration, Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Vienna International Arbitral Centre, Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Asian International Arbitration Centre, Working Group III of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the Singapore Administration, International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration, Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration in Pakistan, Thailand International Arbitration Centre, Costa Rica Bar Association Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, San Diego Chamber of Commerce Arbitration and Mediation Center, Singapore International Meditation Centre, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, etc., all sent letters of sympathy.

Dr. Ismail Selim, Director of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, wrote that “China is a country with a long ancient history. It’s known to us that historical processes for countries with a long ancient history do not have a favorable wind all the way. Hence, whatever challenges in the history ever happened, China could always fight to win.”    He also expressed sincere friendship to stand with the Chinese people in times of hardship.  

Mr. Dirk De Meulemeester, President of Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, said in the letter that “China has been undergoing touch times combating the COVID 19, so have been other countries in the world. You are not alone for this battle and we will always stand by your side. We are definitely sure that the close relationship between arbitration institutions in the two countries persists, and we value the cooperative relations between Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation and CIETAC.”

Ms. Laura Ávila Bolaños, Chairperson of Costa Rica Bar Association Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, expressed support to China’s combat against the epidemic and said in the letter that “we have focused on China’s effort in containing the epidemic and understood that the measures have been reinforced again. We believe the epidemic will be soon under control. We have been and will be standing side by side. Look forward to attending the China Arbitration Week in the coming September.”

Mr. Macarena Leiter, Executive Director of San Diego Chamber of Commerce Arbitration and Mediation Center, expressed sympathy and understanding to China’s suffering caused by the severe epidemic and he conveyed that the top priority for now was to work together to combat the epidemic and boost mutual trust. He would like to provide all the assistance and support needed and believed that the hard times would be gone eventually and the sun to erase the haze would come.

Arbitration institutions in countries and regions along the Belt and Road expressed willingness to strengthen communications and cooperation on arbitration service to Belt and Road projects. Mr. Rana Sajjad Ahmad, founder and President of the Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration in Pakistan, said in the letter that “ Pakistan and China have prolonged and deep friendship and I hope to establish more institutionalized cooperation with CIETAC to serve for the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, so as to ensure that the disputes between parties from the two countries will be solved in a rapid, professional and effective way.”

Heads of a number of international arbitration institutions have sent letters, among whom Mr. Alexis Mourre, President of ICC International Court of Arbitration, said that “we fully appreciated the great tenacity showed by Chinese people in responding to the sudden outbreak of the Coronavirus. By means of efforts of the Chinese government and the people as well as the international community’s support, we firmly believe that the coronavirus is sure to be contained in the near future.” The international arbitration institutions also expressed that they valued the close cooperative relationship built with CIETAC and expected to support the China Arbitration Week planned to be held by CIETAC this year.

CIETAC has been strengthening exchanges and cooperation with major international arbitration institutions for a long time, which has led to cooperation agreements signed with more than 70 overseas and international arbitration institutions and close relationship built with major international arbitration institutions. In the meantime, CIETAC has been organizing the China Arbitration Week to set up a platform for the external publicity, and promoting the spreading and development of international arbitration. During the outbreak of the epidemic, the best wishes sent by a number of overseas and international arbitration institutions echoed the Chinese proverb that “As only in severe winter we would know pines and cypresses to be evergreen, a friend in need is a friend indeed.” The precious friendship endures, which lays the solid foundation for deepening cooperation in the future.