Arbitration in China : Practice, Legal Obstacles, and Reforms

Increasing cross-border commercial exchanges and foreign investments have caused arbitration to become more frequently selected as a dispute resolution option in China. In response to this growing demand, China has taken significant steps to improve its arbitration system. Nevertheless, arbitration practice in China still displays many inconsistencies with international norms, causing concern for foreign investors. This article looks at the practice, problems and prospects of arbitration in China through (i) an overview of the Chinese arbitration system, (ii) a description of the peculiarities of Chinese arbitration practice, (iii) an analysis of the legal obstacles that lie behind those peculiarities, and (iv) a review of past and future reforms