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Why international arbitration?

My early exposure to this field occurred in a few recognition and enforcement cases, and I was fascinated.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

In 2022 I successfully defended the use of third-party funding in arbitration in the first ever Chinese court case to consider the issue, shortly after the courts invalidated private funding in litigation.

Who do you consider your mentors?

Zhang Shouzhi, Ariel Ye and Zhang Mei of King & Wood Mallesons, who mentored me in the early years of my career; and since I joined Jingtian & Gongcheng, I turn to Peng Xuejun and Dong Chungang when I need direction or guidance. Michael Hwang SC, as my mentor in the first circle of Young lCCA Mentoring Programme, is a great inspiration to my interests in the world of international arbitration, and his radiant personality, intellectual sharpness and genuine care for young generations have myhighest admiration.

Who else in the field do you admire?

Albert Jan van den Berg, Jan Paulsson, Philip Yang, Teresa Cheng SC, Lu Song, and the late David Caron. They are pioneering arbitration practitioners as well as great educators in the field.

What other career might you have chosen?

Journalism, as an alternative path to make improvements to public life, or international development, which is the territory of my wife Bing.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?

Consistent growth requires lasting thirst, good habits, and good health.

Do you sit as arbitrator?

Yes Arbitrator work is more humbling in many ways.

Is there a type of case you particularly enjoy?

Cases presenting fascinating conflict of law issues or involving (in the broad sense) intellectual property.

What are the biggest challenges facing international arbitration?

The insufficiency of safeguards in the system to protect the interests of third parties, including states and the public, which is complicated by excessively pro-arbitration policies in some jurisdictions.

If you could change one thing about the field, what would it be?

I would give more relevance to the "inconvenient" public policies of those states which have strong connections to and regulatory interests in the matters submitted to arbitration, so that the interests of the public most affected by the transactions and the awards could be better safeguarded in this largely private system.

What's been your most memorable moment in a hearing!

After cross and redirect examination of an independent innovator as expert witness for the opponent in an ICC arbitration, I came to realise that his lengthy discussion on possible improvements to the technology, bearing little relevance to the parties’ case, was intended as a tool to seek future business opportunities from his appointing party.

What's your favourite city to arbitrate in?

Beiing, which I call home. I dare say Mauritius and Miami would surely give one a chance to be of quality service (to one's clients), especially during the winter months.

What do you do to relax away from work?

Walk my dog or read history.