During the last two decades, the number of arbitrations in Mainland China, including arbitrations involving foreign entities investing in the Mainland, has increased dramatically. The growth continued in 2007 when CIETAC administered 1118 cases (up from 981 in 2006). The number of arbitrations administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre also continues to grow and many of those arbitrations arise from transactions in the Mainland. This article discusses some significant developments for arbitration in the Mainland, including an extension of the limitation period for enforcement of arbitral awards and a new arrangement between Macau and the Mainland for the mutual recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards. This article also considers the broader implications of these developments and what is behind them. There were several developments in arbitration in China in late 2007 and there will be others in early 2008. This article considers a few of the most significant.
Journal of International Arbitration