New York State, U.S.A.
The People’s Republic of China
Mandarin (native)
English (working language)
New York University School of Law, International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration Program
LL.M.
China Foreign Affairs University
LL.B.
Partner
Beijing OfficeTel:+86(10)5639 9618
Email:mariana.zhong@huizhonglaw.com
Practice Experience
Mariana Zhong is a partner of Hui Zhong Law Firm based in Beijing. Before joining Hui Zhong in 2020, she was a partner of the international arbitration department of a top-tier international law firm, where she worked in the Beijing, Singapore, and Paris offices.
Mariana specializes in dispute resolution matters including arbitration, litigation, and mediation, with a particular focus on foreign-related, cross-border and international arbitration seated in China and overseas. She has handled several dozens of international commercial arbitration cases before arbitration institutions including ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC, BAC, SHIAC, SCIA and in ad hoc arbitrations seated abroad applying the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
Mariana also handles investor-State disputes arising under international treaties. Previously Ms. Zhong represented two Chinese investors initiating an ICSID arbitration against a Southeast Asian State. Currently she is advising an investor in an ad hoc treaty arbitration against a State in Asia. Mariana also constantly provides treaty arbitration-related assessment and legal advice to Chinese and foreign investors.
Mariana also represents Chinese and foreign clients in Chinese court proceedings, including enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, general commercial litigation, and pre-litigation/arbitration injunction proceedings. Ms. Zhong frequently advises foreign clients on Chinese law-related matters, she also constantly provides support to foreign court/arbitration proceedings where Chinese law expert opinion was sought.
Ms. Zhong is an arbitrator, a former affiliate research fellow of Harvard Law School, a former ICC YAF Representative for North Asia, and an Executive Member of the Committee of Beijing International Arbitration Forum (BIAF). Recently she has been invited to become a board member of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA). Mariana also serves as an off-campus mentor to graduate students in China Foreign Affiars University.
Mariana is a frequent speaker at international arbitration-related seminars and conferences held home and abroad, and a diligent writer on topics relating to Chinese and international commercial and investment arbitration. Ms. Zhong constantly provides international arbitration-related lectures and trainings to prestigious law schools, local bar associations across China and legal departments of Chinese State-owned enterprises.
Starting from 2017, Mariana has been consecutively recognized by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a “Next Generation Lawyer”. In 2021 and 2022, two cases handled by Ms. Zhong were selected as “Deals of the Year 2021” and “Deals of the Year 2022” by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ). In 2023, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “Rising Star 2023” by CBLJ. In the same year, Mariana was shortlisted by Global Arbitration Review (GAR) for “GAR 45 under 45”. In January 2024, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “A List 2023-2024: Growth Drivers” by CBLJ.
Listed Arbitrator
Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC)
Russian Arbitration Center (RAC)
Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)
Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC)
Wuhan Arbitration Commission (WAC)
Hainan International Arbitration Court (HNAC)
Shijiazhuang Arbitration Commission
Langfang Arbitration Commission
Membership
Member of the Organization Committee of RIDW25 (Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025)
APAC Lead of YSIAC Council
ICC YAF Representative for North Asia Region (2019-2021)
Member of New York Bar Association (NYSBA)
Member of Young SIAC Group (YSIAC)
Member of Young ITA (Institute for Transnational Arbitration, US)
Representative cases
▪ Advising an investor in an ad hoc treaty arbitration against a state in Asia.
▪ Represented two Chinese investors of telecom industry in an ICSID arbitration against a Southeast Asian state.
▪ Representing a Chinese major oil and gas State-owned enterprise in a large EPCC dispute relating to a refinery project in Southeast Asia against a national oil company of a Southeast Asian country, disputed amount exceeding 600million USD.
▪ Advising a foreign sovereign fund in a potential dispute with a Chinese oil and gas company relating to the performance of a Product Sharing Contract for the joint exploration, development and production of coal-bed methane.
▪ Representing two Cambodian companies in court appeal proceedings before Hubei High People’s Court;
▪ Represented two Cambodian companies in Wuhan Intermediate People’s Court for dispute arising from an international sales and purchase agreement.
▪ Represented two Cambodian companies in a CIETAC arbitration for dispute arising from an international sales and purchase agreement.
▪ Represented a Chinese subsidiary of GE in appeal proceedings before the Supreme People’s Court. The appeal proceedings were initiated to pierce the corporate veil of the Respondent under a HKIAC award worthing more than 300million USD, and to pursue liabilities of the Respondent’s ultimate owner, parent companies and sister companies.
▪ Represented two shareholders of a real estate development company in the appeal proceedings before the Anhui Higher People’s Court for dispute arising out of the performance of two Share Purchase Agreements. Amount in dispute exceeds 500million RMB.
▪ Represented the fund managers/General Partners of a government-invested fund against a Limited Partner (the local government) of the fund in a CIETAC Shenzhen arbitration for dispute arising out of the local government’s request to terminate the partnership agreement.
▪ Represented a multinational conglomerate based in US in enforcement of a HKIAC award in Chinese local courts and the subsequent court proceedings before the Chinese Supreme People’s Court initiated against the target companies and individuals.
▪ Represented and advised a Chinese company specializing in design and manufacturing of hydrogen fueled vehicles in a CIETAC arbitration for disputes arising out of several services agreements.
▪ Represented a Hong Kong company in an ICC arbitration and subsequent settlement negotiation against a US aircraft engine manufacturer and its parent company, for disputes arising from several sales representative agreements.
▪ Represented a major Chinese SOE in an ad hoc arbitration applying UNCITRAL Rules seated in Paris against a national railway operator in an African country, for disputes arising out of an international sales and purchase agreement of railway trains.
▪ Represented a Chinese construction company in an ICC arbitration against a US company for disputes arising out of an EPCC contract for a project located in Central America. Advised the same client on post-arbitration set-aside proceedings in Singapore and related court proceedings in China.
▪ Represented a European buyer of furniture against a Chinese manufacturer and its Hong Kong parent company in an ICC arbitration seated in Paris; represented the same client in enforcement of the ICC award in China.
▪ Represented a Chinese listed company against a German company in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising out of three technology transfer agreements.
▪ Represented the State of a South America country in its recovery actions of its sovereign assets (12 barges) held in auction in Chinese maritime court.
▪ Represented an Italian pharmaceutical company against its Chinese joint venture partner for disputes arising out of a joint venture agreement relating to the establishment and operation of a JV in Hong Kong; we initiated a HKIAC arbitration and in return, the Chinese party initiated a parallel LCIA arbitration. Both arbitration were withdrawn after we helped client reach settlement with the Chinese JV partner.
▪ Represented a European oil and gas company in an international commercial arbitration case conducted before the SIAC. The disputed amount was over US$42 million. Represented the same company in its pre-ICSID arbitration negotiations with Chinese SOEs and helped client reach a satisfactory settlement.
▪ Assisted in an international arbitration case conducted before the HKIAC involving 21 Chinese companies and individuals defending a claim brought by a Hong Kong company in connection with a share purchase agreement. The amount in dispute was over US$33 million.
▪ Represented some American and European companies enforcing their HKIAC awards or ICC awards in mainland China.
▪ Represented a Mexican energy company in settlement negotiations with a Chinese state-owned shipyard company for disputes arising out of construction agreements of drilling vessels.
▪ Represented a Chinese airline company in two CIETAC arbitration cases for disputes arising from several investment agreements relating to the construction and operation of a resort in Zhejiang province.
▪ Represented a British company against a Chinese company in a CIETAC arbitration for disputes arising from an international sales contract of fire detectors.
▪ Represented a Chinese automobile company in a CIETAC arbitration against a US company for disputes arising from an international sales contract; represented the same client in a pre-arbitration dispute negotiations with an Italian company for disputes arising from technology transfer agreements; advised the same client on its potential disputes with a German automobile manufacturer.
▪ Advised a Chinese SOE defending an international arbitration held in Norway, initiated by a Norwegian company, for disputes arising from international oil drilling contracts. The amount disputed was over US$30 million.
▪ Assisted in an arbitration case at the BAC for disputes arising out of an agent service contract involving a Chinese SOE, a foreign-invested company and a Chinese individual.
Representative cases
▪ Advising an investor in an ad hoc treaty arbitration against a state in Asia.
▪ Represented two Chinese investors of telecom industry in an ICSID arbitration against a Southeast Asian state.
▪ Representing a Chinese major oil and gas State-owned enterprise in a large EPCC dispute relating to a refinery project in Southeast Asia against a national oil company of a Southeast Asian country, disputed amount exceeding 600million USD.
▪ Advising a foreign sovereign fund in a potential dispute with a Chinese oil and gas company relating to the performance of a Product Sharing Contract for the joint exploration, development and production of coal-bed methane.
▪ Representing two Cambodian companies in court appeal proceedings before Hubei High People’s Court;
▪ Represented two Cambodian companies in Wuhan Intermediate People’s Court for dispute arising from an international sales and purchase agreement.
▪ Represented two Cambodian companies in a CIETAC arbitration for dispute arising from an international sales and purchase agreement.
▪ Represented a Chinese subsidiary of GE in appeal proceedings before the Supreme People’s Court. The appeal proceedings were initiated to pierce the corporate veil of the Respondent under a HKIAC award worthing more than 300million USD, and to pursue liabilities of the Respondent’s ultimate owner, parent companies and sister companies.
▪ Represented two shareholders of a real estate development company in the appeal proceedings before the Anhui Higher People’s Court for dispute arising out of the performance of two Share Purchase Agreements. Amount in dispute exceeds 500million RMB.
▪ Represented the fund managers/General Partners of a government-invested fund against a Limited Partner (the local government) of the fund in a CIETAC Shenzhen arbitration for dispute arising out of the local government’s request to terminate the partnership agreement.
▪ Represented a multinational conglomerate based in US in enforcement of a HKIAC award in Chinese local courts and the subsequent court proceedings before the Chinese Supreme People’s Court initiated against the target companies and individuals.
▪ Represented and advised a Chinese company specializing in design and manufacturing of hydrogen fueled vehicles in a CIETAC arbitration for disputes arising out of several services agreements.
▪ Represented a Hong Kong company in an ICC arbitration and subsequent settlement negotiation against a US aircraft engine manufacturer and its parent company, for disputes arising from several sales representative agreements.
▪ Represented a major Chinese SOE in an ad hoc arbitration applying UNCITRAL Rules seated in Paris against a national railway operator in an African country, for disputes arising out of an international sales and purchase agreement of railway trains.
▪ Represented a Chinese construction company in an ICC arbitration against a US company for disputes arising out of an EPCC contract for a project located in Central America. Advised the same client on post-arbitration set-aside proceedings in Singapore and related court proceedings in China.
▪ Represented a European buyer of furniture against a Chinese manufacturer and its Hong Kong parent company in an ICC arbitration seated in Paris; represented the same client in enforcement of the ICC award in China.
▪ Represented a Chinese listed company against a German company in an ICC arbitration for disputes arising out of three technology transfer agreements.
▪ Represented the State of a South America country in its recovery actions of its sovereign assets (12 barges) held in auction in Chinese maritime court.
▪ Represented an Italian pharmaceutical company against its Chinese joint venture partner for disputes arising out of a joint venture agreement relating to the establishment and operation of a JV in Hong Kong; we initiated a HKIAC arbitration and in return, the Chinese party initiated a parallel LCIA arbitration. Both arbitration were withdrawn after we helped client reach settlement with the Chinese JV partner.
▪ Represented a European oil and gas company in an international commercial arbitration case conducted before the SIAC. The disputed amount was over US$42 million. Represented the same company in its pre-ICSID arbitration negotiations with Chinese SOEs and helped client reach a satisfactory settlement.
▪ Assisted in an international arbitration case conducted before the HKIAC involving 21 Chinese companies and individuals defending a claim brought by a Hong Kong company in connection with a share purchase agreement. The amount in dispute was over US$33 million.
▪ Represented some American and European companies enforcing their HKIAC awards or ICC awards in mainland China.
▪ Represented a Mexican energy company in settlement negotiations with a Chinese state-owned shipyard company for disputes arising out of construction agreements of drilling vessels.
▪ Represented a Chinese airline company in two CIETAC arbitration cases for disputes arising from several investment agreements relating to the construction and operation of a resort in Zhejiang province.
▪ Represented a British company against a Chinese company in a CIETAC arbitration for disputes arising from an international sales contract of fire detectors.
▪ Represented a Chinese automobile company in a CIETAC arbitration against a US company for disputes arising from an international sales contract; represented the same client in a pre-arbitration dispute negotiations with an Italian company for disputes arising from technology transfer agreements; advised the same client on its potential disputes with a German automobile manufacturer.
▪ Advised a Chinese SOE defending an international arbitration held in Norway, initiated by a Norwegian company, for disputes arising from international oil drilling contracts. The amount disputed was over US$30 million.
▪ Assisted in an arbitration case at the BAC for disputes arising out of an agent service contract involving a Chinese SOE, a foreign-invested company and a Chinese individual.
Practice Experience
Mariana Zhong is a partner of Hui Zhong Law Firm based in Beijing. Before joining Hui Zhong in 2020, she was a partner of the international arbitration department of a top-tier international law firm, where she worked in the Beijing, Singapore, and Paris offices.
Mariana specializes in dispute resolution matters including arbitration, litigation, and mediation, with a particular focus on foreign-related, cross-border and international arbitration seated in China and overseas. She has handled several dozens of international commercial arbitration cases before arbitration institutions including ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC, BAC, SHIAC, SCIA and in ad hoc arbitrations seated abroad applying the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
Mariana also handles investor-State disputes arising under international treaties. Previously Ms. Zhong represented two Chinese investors initiating an ICSID arbitration against a Southeast Asian State. Currently she is advising an investor in an ad hoc treaty arbitration against a State in Asia. Mariana also constantly provides treaty arbitration-related assessment and legal advice to Chinese and foreign investors.
Mariana also represents Chinese and foreign clients in Chinese court proceedings, including enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, general commercial litigation, and pre-litigation/arbitration injunction proceedings. Ms. Zhong frequently advises foreign clients on Chinese law-related matters, she also constantly provides support to foreign court/arbitration proceedings where Chinese law expert opinion was sought.
Ms. Zhong is an arbitrator, a former affiliate research fellow of Harvard Law School, a former ICC YAF Representative for North Asia, and an Executive Member of the Committee of Beijing International Arbitration Forum (BIAF). Recently she has been invited to become a board member of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA). Mariana also serves as an off-campus mentor to graduate students in China Foreign Affiars University.
Mariana is a frequent speaker at international arbitration-related seminars and conferences held home and abroad, and a diligent writer on topics relating to Chinese and international commercial and investment arbitration. Ms. Zhong constantly provides international arbitration-related lectures and trainings to prestigious law schools, local bar associations across China and legal departments of Chinese State-owned enterprises.
Starting from 2017, Mariana has been consecutively recognized by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a “Next Generation Lawyer”. In 2021 and 2022, two cases handled by Ms. Zhong were selected as “Deals of the Year 2021” and “Deals of the Year 2022” by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ). In 2023, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “Rising Star 2023” by CBLJ. In the same year, Mariana was shortlisted by Global Arbitration Review (GAR) for “GAR 45 under 45”. In January 2024, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “A List 2023-2024: Growth Drivers” by CBLJ.
Listed Arbitrator
Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC)
Russian Arbitration Center (RAC)
Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)
Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC)
Wuhan Arbitration Commission (WAC)
Hainan International Arbitration Court (HNAC)
Shijiazhuang Arbitration Commission
Langfang Arbitration Commission
Membership
Member of the Organization Committee of RIDW25 (Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025)
APAC Lead of YSIAC Council
ICC YAF Representative for North Asia Region (2019-2021)
Member of New York Bar Association (NYSBA)
Member of Young SIAC Group (YSIAC)
Member of Young ITA (Institute for Transnational Arbitration, US)
Social activities
Speaking Events:
May 2024, speaking at World Arbitration Update 2024 at BIAC on topics relating to international investment arbitration;
May 2024, lecturer at SIAC Academy on enforcement of arbitral awards in China;
April 2024, speaking at IPBA Tokyo 2024 on topics relating to art of persuasion in advocacy and psychology in decision making by arbitral tribunal;
March 2024, training to Suzhou Bar Association on international arbitration and enforcement;
17 October 2023, the 2023 Autumn Forum of Beijing International Arbitration Forum, organizer, moderator & speaker;
8 September 2023, speaking at the China Arbitration Week – Suzhou Forum at the invitation of SIAC on the subject of quantum issues and third-party funding in international arbitration;
7 September 2023, speaking at the Seminar co-organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration and the Saudi Embassy in China on the subject of resolving disputes and arbitration in Saudi Arabia;
4 September 2023, debating on the subject of “institutional arbitration vs. ad hoc arbitration” at GAR Live Beijing 2023;
November 2022, SCIA International Arbitration Training Programme for Elite Lawyers in the Greater Bay Area, as invited lecturer, subject “Latest Development of Investor-State Arbitration in China”.
September 2022, The 22nd China International Fair for Investment & Trade & the 16th Symposium on International Investment Law, subject “New Development of International Investment Law under the Great Change”, organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, as guest speaker, speaking topic: From the Perspective of ICSID Arbitration: What Measures Shall be Taken in order to Maximize the Treaty Protection?
September 2022, China Arbitration Week, Speaking at a Jus Mundi – ZhongLun joint event on topics relating to “Revision of China’s Arbitration Law and Internationalization of Chinese Arbitration”, guest speaker;
July 2022, Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) International ADR Week 2022, THAC-CIETAC joint event, “Arbitration and ADR Beyond the Pandemic”, moderator and guest speaker of Session 3, “Unilateral Arbitration Clauses: and Endless Debate”.
February 2022, Webinar co-organized by American Society of International Law and HKU Law on subject “China and Investor-State Dispute Settlement: Status Quo and Beyond”, guest speaker;
December 2021, SIAC Academy, lecture by Gabrielle KK on diversity in international arbitration, guest panelist and speaker;
September 2021, China Arbitration Summit, Women Arbitration Forum: Profession and Succession, speaker;
July 2021, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) Webinar: Investment Arbitration Practices, speaker;
April 2021, Beijing International Arbitration Forum (“BIAF”) Annual Spring Forum: Independence and Impartiality of Arbitrators: Idealism and Reality; organizer and speaker;
March 2021, ICC YAF Workshop, speak as ICC YAF Representative for North Asia;
December 2020, International Investment Forum, Shandong University, speaker, “Chinese Investment Abroad: Disputes and Resolutions”, Qingdao;
November 2021, Beijing International Arbitration Forum (“BIAF”) Annual Fall Webinar, “Amendment of Chinese Arbitration Law: Status Quo and Pending Issues”, organizer & speaker;
October 2020, Beijing International Arbitration Forum (“BIAF”) Annual Training, organizer & speaker, Beijing;
August 2020, SIAC Academy webinar, speaker;
August 2020, panellist/speaker of the webinar on amendment of Arbitration Rules, Lang Fang Arbitration Commission;
August 2020, ICC YAF Workshop, speak as ICC YAF Representative for North Asia;
June 6, 2019, BAC/BIAC & CIarb Joint event, “Umbrella Clause and Fork in the Road”, Speaker;
Nov 28, 2019, BAC/ICC joint event - the 8th Greater China Arbitration Forum, “Analysis from the Perspective of A Counsel on the Disclosure Obligations of Arbitrators”, Speaker;
Nov 5 and 6, 2019, China Arbitration Summit 2019, Participant;
Nov 1, 2019, Tsinghua Law School Seminar with UNCITRAL General Secretary, Introduction to the UNCITRAL, panellist;
Sep 12, 2019, CIETAC Seminar on “ISDS Reform and China’s Position”, Moderator;
July 30, 2019, 2019 China-Africa Legal Forum, “Possibilities and Considerations for Chinese Investors to Invoke Investment Arbitration under China’s BITs”, Speaker;
July 2019, International Arbitration Workshop, organized by ICC, participant & speaker;
July 2019, Recorded session on Henry Stewart Talks on “Belt and Road Initiative and Dispute Resolution”, Speaker/Presenter;
June 2, 2019, lecture at China Foreign Affairs University, “Introduction of Foreign-related Dispute Resolution and Foreign Involved Lawyer’s Practice”, lecturer;
April 2, 2019, Beijing International Arbitration Forum (BIAF) 2019 Spring Seminar, “Divergence between Civil Law and Common Law in Prague Rules”, Moderator;
April 8, 2019, CIArb (East Asia Branch) Young Members Group Conference, “Emerging Arbitration Rules and Arbitration Institutions for Young Arbitrators”, Moderator.
Acted as arbitrators in moot arbitrations:
17 February 2024, arbitration in vis-moot of Russian Arbitration Commission;
22 October 2023, Russian Arbitration Commission FDI Moot, arbitrator in the final round;
19 August 2023, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, arbitrator in the semi-final round;
September 2022, Wuhan Arbitration Commission Moot, arbitrator;
July 2022, SCIA Investment Arbitration Moot, arbitrator;
April 2022, AIAC Pre-Moot, arbitrator;
January 2022, CIETAC Frankfurt Moot;
December 2021, CIETAC Cup Moot;
July 2021, SCIA Investment Arbitration Moot;
November 2020, CIETAC Cup Moot;
Nov 11, 2019, The 17th CIETAC CUP in 2019, Memo Committee and arbitrator;
May 18, 2019, 2019 IADS-TSINGHUA Moot Competition on International Arbitration, Arbitrator.
Lectures at Law Schools and Others:
24 May 2024, lecture at Renming University School of Law on Privileges in International Arbitration;
20 April 2024, training to Beijing lawyers on international investment arbitration;
15 April 2024, training to Suzhou Bar Association on international commercial arbitration and enforcement of arbitral awards;
14 March 2024, lecture at Tsinghua University School of Law on oral evidence in international arbitration;
27 December 2023, lecture at the International Investment Arbitration Program of Wuhan University School of Law on the subject of “Damages in International Investment Arbitration”;
25 October 2023, lecture at Tsinghua University School of Law IADS program on the subject of “Governing Law in International Arbitration”;
18 October 2023, lecture at the International Investment Arbitration Program of Wuhan University School of Law on the subject of “Bifurcation in International Investment Arbitration”;
11 October 2023, lecture at the International Investment Arbitration Program of Wuhan University School of Law on the subject of “Latest Developments in International Investment Arbitration”;
11 May 2023, participate as facilitator at the SIAC Academy in Beijing;
May 2023, invited by China Ministry of Justice to lecture for the “Foreign-related Lawyer Training Program” on subject of “The Recognition, Enforcement and Remedies of Arbitral Award”, at China People’s University;
April 2023, invited by China Ministry of Justice to lecture for the “Foreign-related Lawyer Training Program” on subject of “The Making and Remedies of Arbitral Award”, at China University of Political Science and Law.
April 2023, invited by University of International Business and Economics to lecture to Graduate Students on subject of “Legal Profession Privilege”;
6 March 2023, speak on the subject of Diversity in International Arbitration at a seminar organized by Langfang Arbitration Commission;
October 2016 – October 2022 (six consecutive years): Lecture at Tsinghua IADS Program on subjects relating to international arbitration and Chinese law;
April 2022, Lecture on “Legal Profession Privileges” to online audience per invitation by a leading Chinese arbitration institution;
November 2021, lecture at Fudan University Law School per invitation by SIAC on subjects relating to International Arbitration;
July 2020, Recorded lecture for BIAMC (Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Center) on International Arbitration.
Trainings to State-owned enterprises, local bar associations and law schools:
24 May 2024, lecture at Renming University School of Law on Privileges in International Arbitration;
20 April 2024, training to Beijing lawyers on international investment arbitration;
15 April 2024, training to Suzhou Bar Association on international commercial arbitration and enforcement of arbitral awards;
14 March 2024, lecture at Tsinghua University School of Law on oral evidence in international arbitration;
27 December 2023, lecture at the International Investment Arbitration Program of Wuhan University School of Law on the subject of “Damages in International Investment Arbitration”;
25 October 2023, lecture at Tsinghua University School of Law IADS program on the subject of “Governing Law in International Arbitration”;
18 October 2023, lecture at the International Investment Arbitration Program of Wuhan University School of Law on the subject of “Bifurcation in International Investment Arbitration”;
11 October 2023, lecture at the International Investment Arbitration Program of Wuhan University School of Law on the subject of “Latest Developments in International Investment Arbitration”;
11 May 2023, participate as facilitator at the SIAC Academy in Beijing;
May 2023, invited by China Ministry of Justice to lecture for the “Foreign-related Lawyer Training Program” on subject of “The Recognition, Enforcement and Remedies of Arbitral Award”, at China People’s University;
April 2023, invited by China Ministry of Justice to lecture for the “Foreign-related Lawyer Training Program” on subject of “The Making and Remedies of Arbitral Award”, at China University of Political Science and Law.
April 2023, invited by University of International Business and Economics to lecture to Graduate Students on subject of “Legal Profession Privilege”;
6 March 2023, speak on the subject of Diversity in International Arbitration at a seminar organized by Langfang Arbitration Commission;
October 2016 – October 2022 (six consecutive years): Lecture at Tsinghua IADS Program on subjects relating to international arbitration and Chinese law;
April 2022, Lecture on “Legal Profession Privileges” to online audience per invitation by a leading Chinese arbitration institution;
November 2021, lecture at Fudan University Law School per invitation by SIAC on subjects relating to International Arbitration;
July 2020, Recorded lecture for BIAMC (Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Center) on International Arbitration.
April 2022, online presentation to AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) legal department on subject “Sovereign Immunity, Crown Immunity and Interim Measures”;
October 2021, Foreign-related Lawyers Training Course to lawyers and law school students per invitation and organization of Tianjin Bar Association and Tianjin Law School;
December 2020, Training to lawyers of He Bei Bar Association per invitation and organization by Lang Fang Arbitration Commission;
November 2020, Training to China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC)’s in-house legal teams on international commercial arbitration;
July 2019, Training to lawyers of Guangdong and Shenzhen Bar Associations per invitation and organization by ICC.
Practice Experience
Mariana Zhong is a partner of Hui Zhong Law Firm based in Beijing. Before joining Hui Zhong in 2020, she was a partner of the international arbitration department of a top-tier international law firm, where she worked in the Beijing, Singapore, and Paris offices.
Mariana specializes in dispute resolution matters including arbitration, litigation, and mediation, with a particular focus on foreign-related, cross-border and international arbitration seated in China and overseas. She has handled several dozens of international commercial arbitration cases before arbitration institutions including ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC, BAC, SHIAC, SCIA and in ad hoc arbitrations seated abroad applying the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
Mariana also handles investor-State disputes arising under international treaties. Previously Ms. Zhong represented two Chinese investors initiating an ICSID arbitration against a Southeast Asian State. Currently she is advising an investor in an ad hoc treaty arbitration against a State in Asia. Mariana also constantly provides treaty arbitration-related assessment and legal advice to Chinese and foreign investors.
Mariana also represents Chinese and foreign clients in Chinese court proceedings, including enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, general commercial litigation, and pre-litigation/arbitration injunction proceedings. Ms. Zhong frequently advises foreign clients on Chinese law-related matters, she also constantly provides support to foreign court/arbitration proceedings where Chinese law expert opinion was sought.
Ms. Zhong is an arbitrator, a former affiliate research fellow of Harvard Law School, a former ICC YAF Representative for North Asia, and an Executive Member of the Committee of Beijing International Arbitration Forum (BIAF). Recently she has been invited to become a board member of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA). Mariana also serves as an off-campus mentor to graduate students in China Foreign Affiars University.
Mariana is a frequent speaker at international arbitration-related seminars and conferences held home and abroad, and a diligent writer on topics relating to Chinese and international commercial and investment arbitration. Ms. Zhong constantly provides international arbitration-related lectures and trainings to prestigious law schools, local bar associations across China and legal departments of Chinese State-owned enterprises.
Starting from 2017, Mariana has been consecutively recognized by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a “Next Generation Lawyer”. In 2021 and 2022, two cases handled by Ms. Zhong were selected as “Deals of the Year 2021” and “Deals of the Year 2022” by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ). In 2023, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “Rising Star 2023” by CBLJ. In the same year, Mariana was shortlisted by Global Arbitration Review (GAR) for “GAR 45 under 45”. In January 2024, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “A List 2023-2024: Growth Drivers” by CBLJ.
Listed Arbitrator
Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC)
Russian Arbitration Center (RAC)
Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)
Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC)
Wuhan Arbitration Commission (WAC)
Hainan International Arbitration Court (HNAC)
Shijiazhuang Arbitration Commission
Langfang Arbitration Commission
Membership
Member of the Organization Committee of RIDW25 (Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025)
APAC Lead of YSIAC Council
ICC YAF Representative for North Asia Region (2019-2021)
Member of New York Bar Association (NYSBA)
Member of Young SIAC Group (YSIAC)
Member of Young ITA (Institute for Transnational Arbitration, US)
Recent publication
▪ “PRC Foreign State Immunity Law: A Gateway to Judicial Review of Investor-State Arbitration by the PRC Courts?” Mariana Zhong & Zeyu Huang, 1 December 2023, Kluwer Arbitration Blog, by Wolters Kluwer;
▪ “Full Protection and Security of Chinese Enterprises and Their Mining Investments Overseas”, Mariana Zhong & Xinming Zheng, China Business Law Journal, January 2024;
▪ “Huawei v Sweden: Bifurcation in International Investment Arbitration”, Mariana Zhong & Xueyu Yang, China Business Law Journal, 14 December 2023;
▪ “Third-Party Funding Blooms in Asia”, Mariana Zhong & Wu Ke, China Business Law Journal, 7 November 2023;
▪ “Application of Laws in Foreign-related Arbitration: Friend or Foe?” Mariana Zhong & Xiaofu Yang, China Business Law Journal, 21 July 2023;
▪ “International Perspective on Grounds for Setting-aside Arbitral Awards”, Mariana Zhong, China Business Law Journal, 8 June 2023;
▪ “Enforcement of Foreign Judgments: China Chapter”; Mariana Zhong & Jingzhou Tao, by Wolters Kluwer, 2023;
▪ “Ad hoc arbitration in China: Is It a Possibility and a Good Choice in the Post-Amendment Era?” Mariana Zhong, Jus Mundi, 2023;
▪ “Third Party Funding in Post-pandemic Era”, Mariana Zhong & Xueyu Yang; by China Business Law Journal, 28 December 2022;
▪ The Law Reviews – The Investment Treaty Arbitration Review, Edition 7, Chapter “Full Protection and Security”, co-author with Ning Fei, Xueyu Yang, Mariana Zhong and Zeyu Huang;
▪ Investor-State Arbitration (2022) Fourth Edition, China Chapter, co-author with Shengchang Wang, Ning Fei, Xueyu Yang, Mariana Zhong; published by International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLG);
▪ Jan. 2022, Mariana Zhong, China Chapter, “Force Majeure and Hardship in the Asia-Pacific Region”, page 69 – 100, published by JURIS Arbitration Law. (link to the book: Force Majeure and Hardship in the Asia-Pacific Region | ArbitrationLaw.com) ;
▪ Sep. 19, 2021, Mariana Zhong, Kluwer Arbitration Blog, “Validity of Arbitration Agreement: A New Relaxed Approach in the Draft Amendment to PRC Arbitration Law”; (link to the blog: Validity of Arbitration Agreement: A New Relaxed Approach in the Draft Amendment to PRC Arbitration Law - Kluwer Arbitration Blog) ;
▪ Jan. 2021, Jingzhou Tao and Mariana Zhong, co-author of the article “Development of Public Policy as A Ground for Non-Enforcement in China”, published by Kluwer Law International in the book “International Arbitration in Times of Economic Nationalism”.
▪ 2018, Jingzhou Tao and Mariana Zhong, “China’s 2017 Reform of its Arbitration-Related Court Review Mechanism with a Focus on Improving Chinese Courts’ Prior-Reporting System”, Maxi Scherer (ed), Journal of International Arbitration, (Kluwer Law International 2018, Volume 35 Issue 3) pp. 371-378.
▪ March 2019, Mariana Zhong, Dechert ONPOINT/ A legal update from the International Arbitration Group, “China Passes New Foreign Investment Law in Response to International Criticisms on Issues Including Market Openness and Lack of Protection on IPRs”;
▪ Nov 1, 2019, Mariana Zhong, Dechert ONPOINT/ A legal update from the International Arbitration Group, “China Supreme People's Court's Judicial Arrangement with Hong Kong Government Regarding Interim Measures for Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong and Mainland China Takes Effect”.
▪ June 2019, Jingzhou Tao and Mariana Zhong, Publication on the AIIB Yearbook of International Law, “Resolving Disputes in China: New and Sometimes Unpredictable Developments”;
▪ Oct 2019, Jingzhou Tao and Mariana Zhong, Publication on the Journal of the Dispute Resolution Section of the International Bar Association, “The China International Commercial Court (CICC): A New Chapter for Resolving International Commercial Disputes in China”.
Practice Experience
Mariana Zhong is a partner of Hui Zhong Law Firm based in Beijing. Before joining Hui Zhong in 2020, she was a partner of the international arbitration department of a top-tier international law firm, where she worked in the Beijing, Singapore, and Paris offices.
Mariana specializes in dispute resolution matters including arbitration, litigation, and mediation, with a particular focus on foreign-related, cross-border and international arbitration seated in China and overseas. She has handled several dozens of international commercial arbitration cases before arbitration institutions including ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, SIAC, CIETAC, BAC, SHIAC, SCIA and in ad hoc arbitrations seated abroad applying the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.
Mariana also handles investor-State disputes arising under international treaties. Previously Ms. Zhong represented two Chinese investors initiating an ICSID arbitration against a Southeast Asian State. Currently she is advising an investor in an ad hoc treaty arbitration against a State in Asia. Mariana also constantly provides treaty arbitration-related assessment and legal advice to Chinese and foreign investors.
Mariana also represents Chinese and foreign clients in Chinese court proceedings, including enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, general commercial litigation, and pre-litigation/arbitration injunction proceedings. Ms. Zhong frequently advises foreign clients on Chinese law-related matters, she also constantly provides support to foreign court/arbitration proceedings where Chinese law expert opinion was sought.
Ms. Zhong is an arbitrator, a former affiliate research fellow of Harvard Law School, a former ICC YAF Representative for North Asia, and an Executive Member of the Committee of Beijing International Arbitration Forum (BIAF). Recently she has been invited to become a board member of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA). Mariana also serves as an off-campus mentor to graduate students in China Foreign Affiars University.
Mariana is a frequent speaker at international arbitration-related seminars and conferences held home and abroad, and a diligent writer on topics relating to Chinese and international commercial and investment arbitration. Ms. Zhong constantly provides international arbitration-related lectures and trainings to prestigious law schools, local bar associations across China and legal departments of Chinese State-owned enterprises.
Starting from 2017, Mariana has been consecutively recognized by Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a “Next Generation Lawyer”. In 2021 and 2022, two cases handled by Ms. Zhong were selected as “Deals of the Year 2021” and “Deals of the Year 2022” by China Business Law Journal (CBLJ). In 2023, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “Rising Star 2023” by CBLJ. In the same year, Mariana was shortlisted by Global Arbitration Review (GAR) for “GAR 45 under 45”. In January 2024, Ms. Zhong was awarded the “A List 2023-2024: Growth Drivers” by CBLJ.
Listed Arbitrator
Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC)
Russian Arbitration Center (RAC)
Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA)
Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC)
Wuhan Arbitration Commission (WAC)
Hainan International Arbitration Court (HNAC)
Shijiazhuang Arbitration Commission
Langfang Arbitration Commission
Membership
Member of the Organization Committee of RIDW25 (Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025)
APAC Lead of YSIAC Council
ICC YAF Representative for North Asia Region (2019-2021)
Member of New York Bar Association (NYSBA)
Member of Young SIAC Group (YSIAC)
Member of Young ITA (Institute for Transnational Arbitration, US)