On the afternoon of May 20, Wang Xuelin, Member of the CPC Committee and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Justice of Hainan and the Chairman of Hainan International Arbitration Court, visited Haikou Maritime Court and exchanged views on the building of a diversified dispute resolution mechanism that served the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port. Xu Yahui, President of Haikou Maritime Court, Vice President Jian Wancheng and other colleagues attended the discussion meeting.

At the meeting, Wang gave a brief introduction to the arbitration court with highlight on the advancement and accomplishments in the reform of the arbitration system of Hainan province. Arbitration was a key force in the diversified dispute resolution mechanism, and a key channel that resolved disputes in a more fair, convenient and efficient manner to facilitate the construction of the free trade port, he said. Both of Hainan International Arbitration Court and Haikou Maritime Court were carrying indispensable missions and playing unique roles in fostering good business environment, he added. Wang extended gratitude for the maritime court’s continued oversight and support for the province’s arbitration work. He hoped that further connection between arbitration and litigation would be strengthened to enable sharing of recourses, and by means of comprehensive, multi-layer and enabling cooperation and exchanges between the two courts, to provide better and more efficient legal services to both domestic and foreign parties.

Xu expressed warm welcome to the visitors. He said, the arbitration court’s introduction was inspiring and its reform initiatives and international orientation were good examples for the maritime court to follow. Xu also introduced the endeavors of the maritime court in recent years like improving political consciousness in work, serving the national overall plans, delivering quality cases, enhancing judicial transparency, and promoting the “three in one” scheme for maritime trials, i.e. the court’s collective jurisdiction over sea-related administrative cases, maritime and admiralty cases, and offshore criminal cases.

Xu said, only a proper mind led to a proper way, only with a general plan in mind could we achieve something, and only we kept trying with a down-to-earth attitude could we accomplish what’s underway. He encouraged the two courts to examine what could be done together. Once a consensus was reached, it should be followed by solid cooperation schemes, and many small victories would add up to a big on, he added. With common missions and aims, the two courts had much room for cooperation. He hoped that the courts should strengthen communications and sharing of recourses, and by enhancing cooperation in work exchanges and trainings, the arbitration and litigation forces would complement each other and enrich the diversified mechanism to resolve the foreign- and sea-related disputes in the pursuit of fostering a more law-based, internationalized and enabling business environment for the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port.