Dispute Resolution Mechanism for the Belt and Road Initiative (PDF)

This book examines resolution of the disputes among the parties to the Belt and Road economic cooperation. To address the related issues, the International Academy of the Belt and Road gathered about 50 experts from over 30 Belt and Road countries and regions to formulate a dispute resolution mechanism for the Belt and Road Initiative by taking into account the legal systems, legal environment, legal history, tradition and cultural characteristics of the countries and regions concerned. The dispute resolution mechanism jointly presented advocates mediation as the primary means for resolving disputes. Only when mediation could not result in a fruitful solution would arbitration be employed. In case of investor-state arbitration, the mechanism indicates that it should be conducted transparently to meet the expectation of accountability of the host state. It also has a built-in appeal procedure for investor-state arbitration.

This hands-on book offers detailed explanations of the mediation rules, arbitration rules and appeal procedures. On the one hand, this mechanism embodies the integration of the cultures, traditions, legal systems, legal values and legal thoughts of the Belt and Road countries and regions. On the other hand, it highlights the importance of mediation, which is part of the Chinese and other oriental cultures and reflects the trend of the contemporary world. The dispute resolution mechanism established in this book will not only contribute to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative but also the world dispute settlement enterprise as a whole.