Professor Michael Palmer, Dean of Shantou University Law School and Director of the Cheung Kong Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Center was invited to participate in the ceremony launching the new Guangdong - Hong Kong International Arbitration Cooperation and the opening ceremony of Shenzhen International Arbitral Court. The event was hosted by the Shenzhen Government in the Wu Zhou Guest House, Shenzhen. Shantou University Law School and Cheung Kong Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Center were among the supporting institutions for this activity.
Participants in the unveiling ceremony included Mr. Biao Chen, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Ms. Li Guo, Vice Director of Hong Kong Liaison Office, Ms. Aishi Liang, Vice Director of the Committee of Hong Kong Basic Law of NPC Standing Committee, Ms. Zhichan Yan, Director of Guangdong Provincial Justice Department, Mr. Kumar Ramanathan, Director of Hong Kong Bar Association, Mr. Wensheng Yang, President of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Mr. Jeffrey S. Lehman, Dean of Beijing University International Law School, and over three hundreds representatives from corporations and law firms in Guangdong and Hong Kong.
Professor Michael Palmer accepted this appointment as an advisor to the Shenzhen International Arbitral Court. The Director of the Shenzhen International Arbitral Court presented a letter of appointment to Professor Palmer. In his thank you speech, Professor Palmer said that he hoped there would be opportunities for Shantou University Law School and Cheung Kong Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Center to cooperate with the Shenzhen International Arbitral Court. Representatives from the Shenzhen International Arbitral Court indicated that they welcome students of Shantou University Law School to take internships in the Court.
The Shenzhen International Arbitral Court is a new name for South China Sub-Commission of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. It was registered under its new name with the Guangdong Provincial Justice Department on 16 January, 2012. The China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, together with the Qianhai Management Bureau, will develop a platform for cooperation with international arbitral institutions in Hong Kong and other areas.