On 9 August 2012, after two years of negotiation, Mainland Chinese and Taiwanese negotiators signed the Cross-strait Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement ("IPA").  The IPA is expected to promote cross-strait economic exchanges, and to attract more Mainland Chinese investors into Taiwan and vice-versa.  Given the sensitivity of cross-strait relations (China does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state), the IPA does not expressly incorporate international arbitration in the list of dispute resolution mechanisms available under the agreement – despite Taiwan having pressed for its inclusion. However, there are a number of other dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation, available to investors under the IPA.

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Key contacts

Simon Chapman KC photo

Simon Chapman KC

Managing Partner, Disputes, Asia and Australia, Hong Kong

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Andrew Cannon

Partner, Head of International Arbitration, London and Paris

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Kathryn Sanger

Partner, Head of Disputes, China and Japan and Head of Private Capital, Asia, Hong Kong

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Christian Leathley

Partner, Head of International Arbitration, US, London and New York

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Craig Tevendale

Partner, Head of Energy Sector, London

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Gitta Satryani

Managing Partner, Singapore Office, Singapore