The China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) accepted 80 cases between January and May this year, according to the 2025 China High-level Dialogue on Maritime and Commercial Arbitration held in Beijing on Friday.
The 80 cases, covering various types such as bill of lading transportation, time chartering, freight forwarding, and shipbuilding, comprised 47 domestic cases and 33 foreign-related cases. The foreign-related cases accounted for 41.25 percent of the total, marking nearly a 10 percent year-on-year growth and involving 21 countries and regions.
This indicates that diversified dispute resolution services, with arbitration as a key component, have been recognized by both Chinese and foreign enterprises. It fully demonstrates the positive role played by China's maritime arbitration in serving foreign-related economies and ensuring the high-quality development of the shipping industry.
"The rise of unilateralism and protectionism has severely undermined the international economic and trade order and significantly increased uncertainties for enterprises operating globally. This makes it more urgent to resolve disputes timely through the rule of law," said Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
The CMAC, established by the CCPIT, is China's sole national-level foreign-related arbitration institution specializing in maritime and logistics disputes. Over the past six decades and more since its founding, CMAC has played a pivotal role in promoting the development of China's shipping and trade.
China Maritime Arbitration Commission accepts 80 cases in Jan-May
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.
In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.
"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.
Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.
Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.
"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.
Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.
Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.
"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.
Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela
