“ICDPASO Hatamen International Salon Series — China-Africa Trade Risk Prevention and Development of Investment Arbitration” Successfully Held

Beijing, 26 October 2026 - The 3rd Session of the ICDPASO Hatamen International Salon Series was successfully held in Beijing. The event was hosted by the International Commercial Dispute Prevention and Settlement Organization (ICDPASO) Arbitration Court and co-organized by the Belt and Road International Legal Services Association. From the perspective of China-Kenya economic and trade, the event focused on China-Africa trade risk prevention and development of investment arbitration, featuring thematic presentations on development trends and prevalent risks in China-Africa trade, automotive industry cooperation, and diversified dispute resolution mechanisms. Beijing Matrix Law Firm provided support for this event.

During the opening remarks, Mr. Jason CHIA, Secretary-General of ICDPASO, noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the 63rd anniversary of China-Kenya diplomatic ties. China-Africa economic and trade cooperation boasts a solid foundation and immense potential. Leveraging its advantages as an international organization, ICDPASO will continue to build an exchange platform for commerce and law cooperation between China and Africa. Through its one-stop commercial legal services covering dispute prevention, mediation and arbitration, ICDPASO will support Chinese enterprises investing in Africa in legal risk management, and underpin the steady and sound growth of China-Africa economic and trade through the rule of law.

Ms. Edith Kaki Ngungu, Minister of the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in China, remarked that Kenya and China enjoy long-standing friendship. Bilateral economic and trade exchanges have been growing vigorously, with a rising number of Chinese enterprises investing and operating in Kenya, generating mounting demand for stable and efficient commercial dispute resolution mechanisms. She expressed the expectation to deepen cooperation with ICDPASO, jointly improve the dispute prevention and commercial legal services systems, and safeguard bilateral economic and trade activities.

In the keynote speeches session, Mr. FENG Zhendong, Deputy General Manager of CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co., Ltd., shared practical experience on common risks and prevention mechanisms in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Ms. LI Xinge, Researcher of China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center, briefed the audience on the international development of Chinese automobile enterprises and offered prospects for China-Africa cooperation in the automotive industry. Mr. WANG Xuehua, Arbitrator and Mediator of ICDPASO and Chief Partner of Beijing Huanzhong & Partners, interpreted the ICDPASO Investment Arbitration Rules. He pointed out that the Rules draw on advanced practices of international arbitration and introduce targeted refinements and innovations for international investment arbitration across multiple dimensions, including scope of application, constitution of the arbitral tribunal, provisional measures, reconciliation, mediation and negotiation facilitation, procedural efficiency and cost control. Mr. DONG Yiming, Founding Partner of Beijing Matrix Law Firm, delivered a presentation on how Chinese and Kenyan lawyers can jointly promote a new blue ocean in economic and trade cooperation. Ms. Kiki Ji, Deputy Chairman of Tianjin Bar Association, introduced diversified dispute resolution approaches in China-Africa cooperation and the achievements of the Belt and Road-related foreign legal services in Tianjin.

During the free discussion, participants exchanged views on hot topics including the outlook for overseas expansion of the automotive industry, practical issues in investment arbitration, and the coordination of China-Africa legal services.

The Hatamen International Salon is a brand event series launched by ICDPASO in early 2026. It serves as a regular exchange platform connecting ICDPASO experts, member institutions, enterprises and partners to deliberate on economic and trade cooperation, commercial dispute resolution and related topics. Please stay tuned for more themed events.

By HUANG Huazhen, GU Wanning, CUI Tong