SIMC and Chinese Legal Professionals Deepen Mediation Collaboration in Tianjin
(From left to right): Trainers George Lim SC, Chairman of SIMC, Chuan Wee Meng, CEO of SIMC, and Lawrence Tan, Founding Partner of Eldan Law LLP and a SIMC International Mediator leading the workshop.
From 23 to 24 May 2026, the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), in collaboration with the Tianjin Bar Association and the Tianjin Arbitration Commission, successfully conducted the SIMC Specialist Mediators' Workshop in Tianjin, China. After six months of meticulous preparation, the two-day programme concluded successfully, representing another significant milestone in Singapore–China legal cooperation and cross-border commercial dispute resolution.
The workshop featured George Lim SC, Chairman of SIMC; Chuan Wee Meng, Chief Executive Officer of SIMC; and Lawrence Tan, Founding Partner of Eldan Law LLP and SIMC International Mediator, who shared their extensive professional knowledge and practical mediation experience. The programme was supported throughout by Serena Liu, Deputy Director (Operations & China Business), SIMC.
A total of 27 legal professionals travelled from Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Jinan, Hefei and other cities across China, while one participant travelled from Singapore specifically to attend. The cohort comprised primarily law firm partners and senior corporate counsel with substantial experience in international legal practice and commercial matters.
Trainers going through the programme on the workshop with the participants.
Bringing Together Experienced Practitioners from Across the Region
Conducted entirely in English, this programme was designed to equip experienced practitioners with practical tools for handling complex cross-border disputes, the workshop featured a combination of interactive discussions, case studies, role-play exercises and negotiation simulations. Participants explored advanced mediation techniques, mediator interventions, and strategies for managing challenging stakeholder dynamics in commercial disputes.
The programme also provided opportunities for participants to exchange perspectives and experiences drawn from their respective practices. Through these discussions, participants examined how mediation can be effectively applied to complex commercial disputes and considered the growing role of mediation in supporting businesses operating across jurisdictions. The high level of engagement throughout the workshop reflected increasing interest in mediation as an efficient and commercially focused dispute resolution mechanism.
Participants break off into smaller groups to implement what they have learned.
New Specialist Mediators Appointed and Partnerships Strengthened
The workshop was led by Chuan Wee Meng and Lawrence Tan, and later joined by George Lim SC who travelled from Shanghai after concluding his mediation engagements. Drawing on their extensive experience in mediation and dispute resolution, the trainers guided participants through practical frameworks and real-world scenarios, encouraging active participation and peer learning.
Trainers and participants engaging in questions and answers during the training session.
Though they have to work out the materials in smaller groups, they are never left alone. Trainers are available and move around group to group to assist them.
(From left to right) Minister Edwin Tong SC, Singapore's Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs the Guest-of-Honour giving the opening address and Li Jun, Director-General of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Justice delivering the welcome remarks
Graduation and Appointment Ceremony
On the evening of 24 May, a graduation and appointment ceremony was held to mark the successful completion of the workshop. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Minister Edwin Tong SC, Singapore's Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, who was in China on an official visit. Despite his demanding schedule, Minister Tong attended as the Guest of Honour, reflecting Singapore's strong support for this collaboration.
Also in attendance was Li Jun, Director-General of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Justice, who led an official delegation to the ceremony, underscoring the importance both Singapore and Tianjin attach to advancing legal cooperation. During the ceremony, participants were formally appointed as SIMC Specialist Mediators. Minister Tong and George Lim SC jointly presented appointment certificates and commemorative gifts to the newly appointed mediators.
(From left to right) A Memoranda of Understanding was signed between SIMC and Jin Hongxia, Director of the Tianjin Arbitration Commission (TJAC) and SIMC and Niu Tongxu, President of the Tianjin Lawyers Association (TJLA).
Memoranda of Understanding Signed to Deepen Cooperation
The ceremony also marked an important milestone in SIMC's collaboration with dispute resolution institutions in China. During the event, George Lim SC signed a Memoranda of Understanding with Niu Tongxu, President of the Tianjin Lawyers Association (TJLA), and Jin Hongxia, Director of the Tianjin Arbitration Commission (TJAC). The agreements establish a framework for deeper cooperation in talent development, case referrals, resource sharing and international exchanges. The partnerships also seek to support greater alignment between China and Singapore's commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, providing enterprises in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and northern China with more efficient and internationally oriented dispute resolution support as they expand their business activities overseas.
Congratulations to our newest batch of Specialist Mediators from China!
Introducing our newest batch of Specialist Mediators!
- Cheng Dong Xing – Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
- Guang Dong Cheng – Nanshan Group Co. Ltd.
- Hongyan Lu – Zhonglun W&D Law Firm
- Jia Qi Liu – AVIC International Holding Corporation
- Jia Ying Sun – Tianjin University of Commerce/Beijing Zhonglun Wende (Tianjin) Law Firm
- Jie Gao – Beijing Dacheng Law Office, LLP
- Jie Ma – Beijing Tsinglaw (Tianjin) Law Firm
- Jing Guo – Tianjin Energy Investment Group Co., Ltd.
- Jing Wei Li – Beijing Yingke (Tianjin) Law Firm
- Jing xian Xia – Shanghai Hansheng (Tianjin) Law Firm
- Junyu Wang – TsingLaw Partners
- Qing Qing Liu – Beijing Hengdu (Tianjin) Law Firm
- Ruo Chen Jing – China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.
- Sharmini Lohadhasan – BP Singapore Pte Ltd
- Si Jie Zhang – Furui Law Firm
- Wei Liu – Zhong Lun Law Firm
- Wei Ming Yuan – Zhonglun W&D Law Firm
- Xiang Zhou – Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd.
- Xing Hu – China Commercial (Shanghai) Law Firm
- Xuan Zhou – Beijing Chongguang (Tianjin) Law Office
- Xue Run Zhu – Anhui Chengyi Law Firm
- Xue yi Tian – Allbright Law Offices
- Yi Chen – Winners Law Firm
- Ying Jiang – The LEGO Group
- Yuan Ning Chen – Grandall Law Firm
- Yun Fan He – Zhong Lun Law Firm
- Zhi Cong Deng – Fangda Partners
