On 3 February 2026, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) and South China International Arbitration Center (HK) (SCIAHK) jointly hosted the SCIA Spring Reception for International Arbitration in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event took place during the Riyadh International Dispute Week (RIDW), centered on "Enhancing Predictability Through International Arbitration in Uncertain Times". It highlighted the latest practices and future developments of international arbitration in China and the Middle East.

The event was attended by over 120 legal and business professionals from more than 50 countries and regions, including China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Türkiye, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Poland, Italy, Germany, North Macedonia, Russia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Peru, Jamaica, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

Liu Xiaochun, President of the SCIA and Executive Chairman of SCIAHK, delivered an opening speech titled "International Arbitration: Bridging China and the Middle East, Connecting Civil Law and Common Law".

Sir William Blair, Council Member of the SCIA, Former Judge of the High Court of England and Wales, Independent Arbitrator at 3VB Chambers London, gave a keynote speech on "Innovative Developments of International Arbitration in China and the Middle East".

Fei Jia, SCIA Arbitrator, Member of the RIDW2026 Organizing Committee and International Partner at King & Wood Mallesons, shared perspectives on "Opportunities and Challenges for Enterprises Investing in the Middle East".

Winnie Tam SC, SCIA Arbitrator, Barrister at Des Voeux Chambers and Former Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, presented on "The Unique Advantages of 'Shenzhen + Hong Kong' in International Arbitration and SCIA's Technological Innovations".

The first panel, moderated by Yi Ran, Legal Counsel of the International Cooperation and Development Department of SCIA, featured David Holloway, SCIA Arbitrator and Partner at Al Tamimi & Company, Hu Ke, SCIA Arbitrator and Partner at Jingtian & Gongcheng, Li Haoming, Partner at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, and Xu Jinxu, Managing Partner of Winson Partners and Legal Consultants in Saudi Arabia. They discussed "Key Issues and Practical Insights of Dispute Resolution in China and the Middle East".

The second panel, moderated by Cheng Qinlin, Deputy Legal Counsel of SCIA's Case Management Department, included Chen Kunrong, Deputy Chief Representative of Sinopec Middle East Representative Office; Mostafa Ihab, Legal Director at Mohammed AIDhabaan & Partners Eversheds Sutherland; Wu Guohua, SCIA Arbitrator and Partner at Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm; and Chi Wenhui, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Development Department of the SCIA. They explored "Risk Prevention and Dispute Resolution Strategies for Enterprises in International Commercial Transactions".

Shu Lingxiao, Deputy Legal Counsel from the International Cooperation and Development Department of the SCIA, moderates the event.

Highlights from the SCIA Spring Reception for International Arbitration in Riyadh.