On 27 Feburary 2025, a delegation comprising members of the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), officers from the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), and leading legal professionals, visited the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) to discuss cross-border dispute resolution and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation between China and Singapore.

The delegation gained insights into the development of international arbitration in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Key discussions centered on innovative approaches to dispute resolution, including the potential of combining Singapore's mediation expertise with Shenzhen's arbitration framework. The impact of AI on arbitration processes and the increasing role of digitalization in streamlining legal proceedings were also key topics of dialogue.

Huang Guoyong, SCIA Assistant President and Director of International Cooperation and Development Department, and Fan Qijuan, Director of SCIA Research Department participated the discussion. The exchange highlighted the long-standing legal partnership between China and Singapore, which has flourished since diplomatic relations were established in 1990.

Over the years, SCIA has worked closely with Singaporean institutions such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) and Maxwell Chambers.

In terms of the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, multiple SCIA arbitral awards have been recognized and enforced by Singaporean courts under the New York Convention. For example, in July 2024, the Singapore High Court affirmed the validity of SCIA's electronic service of documents via SMS, setting a precedent for cross-border electronic service.

Singaporean legal experts have also played an active role in SCIA's development. Prominent figures, including the Minister for Law of Singapore, the Justice of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), have visited SCIA and contributed advisory support. The SCIA new Panel of Arbitrators launched on 21 February 2025 includes 17 Singaporean arbitrators covering a wide range of professional fields, reflecting the depth of expertise across multiple legal specializations.

SCIA remains committed to expanding its collaboration with Singapore's legal and business communities, facilitating bilateral trade and fostering a market-oriented, law-based international business environment.

Group photo of SCIA representatives and delegation.

Huang Guoyong, Assistant President and Director of International Cooperation and Development Department of SCIA, introduced SCIA's innovative development to the visiting delegation.

Chi Wenhui, Deputy Director of International Cooperation and Development Department of SCIA, shared the history of collaboration between SCIA and Singapore's legal community.

Paul Neo, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer of SAL, presented an overview of SAL's operations.

SCIA and SAL have reached an agreement on cooperation.

Thomas Pfennig, founder and CEO of Transforming Legal Pte. Ltd, engaged in a Q&A session.

On-site discussion