From March 5 to 6, 2026, the “Zhiheng Cup” International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition, hosted by Zhiheng Law Firm and organized by the Foreign-related Legal Affairs Committee of Zhiheng (Guangzhou) Law Firm, was held in Guangzhou. The team from Peking University School of Transnational Law (STL) distinguished itself through the round-robin stage, semifinals, and final, ultimately winning the championship.Chen Huilin of STL was awarded “Best Oral Advocate for Claimant,” while the STL team also received the “Best Memorandum for Respondent.”
The competition focused on international commercial arbitration and aimed to bridge legal education and practice by simulating real arbitration proceedings. It sought to strengthen participants’ legal reasoning, advocacy skills, and cross-cultural communication abilities. The event brought together outstanding law students from seven leading universities, including Peking University School of Transnational Law, Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, Jinan University, Shenzhen University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and South China Normal University.
During preparation, team members conducted in-depth research on international commercial arbitration rules and case law, and repeatedly refined their written memoranda and oral submissions, demonstrating strong academic foundations and practical competence. In the round-robin stage on March 5, the STL team competed against South China University of Technology and South China Normal University and successfully advanced to the semifinals. In the semifinal round the following day, STL faced Sun Yat-sen University. Through rigorous argumentation and fluent English advocacy, the team earned unanimous recognition from the arbitral tribunal and advanced to the final.
The final took place on the afternoon of March 6, where STL competed against South China University of Technology. Both teams engaged in intensive exchanges on key issues including jurisdiction, applicable law, and fact-finding. STL ultimately secured the championship with its outstanding performance.
Chen Huilin was recognized as “Best Oral Advocate for Claimant” for exceptional courtroom advocacy, rigorous legal reasoning, and composed performance under pressure. In addition, the respondent-side memorandum, meticulously prepared and refined by Ma Yunqian, Liu Yan, Xue Yating, and Yu Tianmuzi (Class of 2024), was awarded “Best Memorandum for Respondent” for its well-structured arguments, comprehensive authorities, and clear organization. Their early and diligent preparation laid a solid foundation for the team’s success.
The STL team was coached by Assistant Professor Kevin W. Gray, with Hu Chenxi (Class of 2023) serving as student coach. The team also received support from Director Qiu Xiaoya of the Office of International Cooperation, Senior Lecturer Pu Jinke (C.V. Starr), Bao Hong, Xu Ruixiang, as well as former moot court participants Li Haoyuan and Wei Tianshu (Class of 2022), and Kang Hong and Zhou Ziheng (Class of 2023). Team members included Chen Huilin, Li Yubin, Lin Jiangkai, and Ye Yumeng (Class of 2024).
The “Zhiheng Cup” not only provides a high-quality platform for law students to develop professional skills and exchange arbitration practice experience, but also advances the School’s exploration of foreign-related legal talent cultivation. STL will continue to support student participation in high-level international moot competitions, promoting learning through competition and enhancing legal reasoning through advocacy, with the aim of cultivating globally competitive legal professionals.
In addition, the STL team achieved further success in another prestigious international competition held from March 15 to 22, 2026—the 23rd Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot. The team received the Honourable Mention for Best Memorandum on Behalf of Respondent, and Li Yubin was awarded Honourable Mention for Best Oral Advocate, further demonstrating STL’s strong capabilities in international legal advocacy.
