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Author	Mr Shuobin Zhang
Organisation/Institution	East China University of Political Science and Law
Country	CHINA
Panel	International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Title	Addressing CISG Application Challenges in China’s Arbitration Law Revision: The Approach of Introducing Substantive Choice-of-Law Rules
Abstract	International commercial arbitration is grounded in the principle of party autonomy, which functions both as its institutional cornerstone and an independent normative value. To effectively realize party autonomy through the interplay of substantive and procedural law, it is imperative to establish clear provisions on substantive law application. Current practices in applying the CISG within China’s international commercial arbitration reveal both a theoretically fragmented legal basis for non-state laws, and a practical reliance on automatic and direct application approaches, thereby exposing tensions between judicial interpretations and institutional orientations. Incorporating substantive conflict-of-law provisions into China’s Arbitration Law to clarify the selection and application of governing law would align with international standards, formally recognize the legal source of choice-of-law authority and enhance the protection of party autonomy. Balancing “authority-oriented” and “rights-based” paradigms would strengthen the legitimacy, global appeal, and competitiveness of China’s foreign-related commercial dispute resolution system.
Biography	Shuobin Zhang, pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree at ECUPL, with a focus on Civil and Commercial Law, and an expected graduation in 2026. Research interests include arbitration law, international economic law, and comparative commercial law. Editorial responsibilities undertaken at Law and Finance involve reviewing and refining academic works on the interplay between legal systems and economic structures. Contributions to the research and translation team led by Professor Huang Hui at Peking University’s School of Transnational Law included translating and analyzing key international legal texts, emphasizing transnational legal frameworks and comparative studies. Participation in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot provided opportunities to develop expertise in international arbitration, the CISG, and procedural rules. Empirical legal research explored the gendered distribution of caregiving labor in China, integrating perspectives from law, economics, and social policy to analyze intersections within legal narratives. Practical experiences and academic pursuits reflect a focus on the evolution of arbitration and commercial law in Asia, addressing challenges and developments within globalization and regional contexts.