From November 28 to December 5, 2025, the 23rd "CIETAC Cup" International Commercial Arbitration Moot was held at the Beijing International Chamber of Commerce Building. Following intense competition, the BNU team reclaimed the Group First Prize, ultimately finishing among the top eight teams nationwide. In addition to the team's success, member Li Yifei was named "Best Individual Oralist" in the quarter-finals and received the "Outstanding Contribution Award," while Jiao Yang earned "Best Individual Oralist" honors in the eighth-finals. The team's written submission was also shortlisted for the "Best Written Submission Award."
Team members Jiao Yang and Li Yifei received the "Best Individual Oralist" award.
Team member Li Yifei received the "Outstanding Contribution Award."
01 Competition Overview
The "CIETAC Cup" is the highest-level English moot court competition in China's international commercial arbitration field and is recognized as the first global pre-competition and regional competition in China for the internationally influential "Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot" ("Vis Moot"). The entire competition is conducted in English, with a simulated arbitration tribunal composed of senior arbitrators from the Arbitration Commission and well-known lawyers from home and abroad. Participants simulate the roles of claimants and respondents in arbitration cases and engage in various stages of the tribunal's hearings. During the competition, both sides present statements, defenses, and debates based on the simulated case, which greatly benefits the improvement of international commercial legal practice and enhances students' practical abilities.
CIETAC Cup 2025
02 Team Introduction
The BNU Law School team was coached by faculty member Pei Yang, with Jiao Yang (2023 Elite Experimental Class in Law) serving as team captain. The roster for this year’s competition included: Oralists: Jiao Yang, Li Yifei, and Du Chang (2023 & 2024 Elite Experimental Classes in Law), and Team Members: Zhang Yujia (2024 JM Program), Liu Huixin (2022 Elite Experimental Class in Law), Wang Zhenghan, Xu Han, Jiang Yujia (2023 Elite Experimental Class in Law), and Zhang Tianxiang (2024 Elite Experimental Class in Law)
BNU Vis Moot Team Group Photo
From left to right: Zhang Yujia, Jiang Yujia, Liu Huixin, Li Yifei, Jiao Yang, Xu Han, Wang Zhenghan, Du Chang, Zhang Tianxiang
03 Event Review
During the round-robin stage, the BNU Law School team faced off against competitors from the Diplomatic Academy, Dalian Maritime University, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, and Guilin University of Electronic Technology. Demonstrating thorough preparation and composure, the oralists adeptly handled the arbitrators' inquiries, showcasing the professionalism and poise characteristic of BNU Law School students. Their strong performance secured them a spot in the top sixteen, advancing them to the knockout stage.
BNU Vis Moot Team Round-Robin Highlights
In the quarter-finals, the BNU Law School team defeated the Shanghai Jiao Tong University team—last year’s CIETAC Cup champions—securing a decisive victory to advance to the top eight. In the subsequent round, BNU narrowly lost to Shandong University, this year’s eventual champions, ultimately concluding their run in the top eight.
BNU Vis Moot Team knockout match highlights
BNU Vis Moot Team award ceremony highlights
04 Preparation process
润色后的正文
Prior to the release of the competition problem, the team had already commenced training for new members. Following the official release of the case materials on October 10, the team immediately initiated the preparation of the arbitration application and defense statements. Team members held regular discussions to delve into the intricacies of the problem, conducted extensive literature searches, drafted necessary documents, and organized mock court debates. Throughout the preparation phase, despite facing objective challenges such as tight schedules, the entire team remained focused and dedicated, ultimately completing all pre-competition preparations and achieving excellent results.
The outstanding performance of the Beijing Normal University Vis Moot representative team was made possible by the enthusiastic assistance of the Law School faculty, the support of BNU alumni, and the careful guidance of external legal experts. During the preparation period, former team members—including Gu Shengye, Zhao Yuhang, Liao Wanjun, Cheng Feiyue, Li Mingrui, and Huang Xian—provided the current participants with valuable experience regarding legal writing and courtroom performance. Coach Pei Yang connected the team with Partner Lawyer Zhao Huili from JunHe Law Offices and Partner Lawyer Liu Chi from JunZeJun Law Offices. These experts provided targeted coaching on courtroom debate and offered numerous valuable suggestions regarding content and strategy. The experience, advice, and support from senior team members and external experts greatly motivated the participants.
Furthermore, the competition team engaged in academic exchanges with participating schools such as Peking University School of International Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Wuhan University, Nanjing University, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China University of Political Science and Law, Renmin University of China, South China Normal University, and Nankai University, gaining significant insights from these interactions.
Pre-competition guidance for past BNU Vis mooties.
Thanks to the collective efforts of everyone involved, the Law School of Beijing Normal University remains committed to strongly supporting major international competitions, including Jessup, Vis Moot, ICC, and FDI. We warmly encourage all Law School students to participate in these events to enrich their experiences, enhance their professional capabilities, and showcase their talents. Our representative team will continue to pursue excellence on the global stage, with plans to participate in international events in Vienna, Hong Kong, and other locations next year. We look forward to the current Vis Moot team members striving for further excellence and achieving new glory in the future
Typesetting: Xu Yiyang
Editor: Shi Tianyu