CPR in China

CPR's Activities in China

Since 2003, with the financial and strategic support of its multinational corporate members, CPR has engaged in a multifaceted effort to learn from the Chinese tradition of conciliation and to contribute to the rapidly growing discourse between American and Chinese businesses and, in particular, ADR proponents.

In 2004, CPR partnered with the Conciliation Center of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) to establish the U.S.-China Business Mediation Center and established the CPR/CCPIT Mediation Procedure for Disputes Submitted to the U.S.-China Business Mediation Center. CPR also published Mediating Disputes Between Chinese and American Businesses, which featured commentary on salient issues, practice tips, and matters to consider when acting as a mediator in a complex dispute involving Chinese and American companies.

In addition to its close relationship with the CCPIT, CPR has established cordial exchanges with the Beijing Arbitration Commission, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center and several academic institutions and business associations. CPR leaders have frequently visited Hong Kong and spoken to groups of business and legal leaders on opportunities to create industry-led dispute management initiatives and best practices.

CPR also hosts an Asia-Pacific Advisory Council of attorneys and business people located in the United States and throughout Asia which meets periodically to analyze and recommend strategies for improving dispute resolution services in the region.

Recent Activities

In 2009, CPR made visits to various arbitral institutions and CPR member law firms in China. Visits included the Arbitration Center and CCPIT in Beijing and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai to discuss various ways in which these institutions and CPR might work together to facilitate knowledge and training in the ADR field.

The American Chamber of Commerce will host a program for CPR's Asia-Pacific Advisory Council in conjunction with the Shanghai Expo in May 2011.

Past Activities

In 2007, CPR cosponsored a conference on “Managing Disputes Between Chinese and U.S. Businesses” with CIETAC, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and the Chinese law firm of Fandga Partners. CPR also participated in a Hong Kong symposium on mediation and met with the Hong Kong Judiciary.
CPR co-hosted a 2005 conference in Beijing on commercial mediation that was attended by over 250 business representatives.
In 2005, CPR conducted a three-day training in Western mediation skills for a group of Chinese and Western attorneys, judges and arbitrators.
CPR hosted a two-day conference in 2006, during which 50 Chinese and American lawyers, judges and mediators exchanged perspectives and articulated the substantial challenges to cross-cultural commercial and legal dealings.
In 2004, CPR trained its first class of mediators for the U.S.- China Business Mediation Center in Beijing.

Past Activities

For more information about CPR's work in China, contact Beth Trent.