Chengdong is an international arbitration lawyer with a specialization in the construction and infrastructure sectors, advising Chinese and multinational clients on all aspects of complex construction projects.

Chengdong has represented clients in international arbitrations under the CIETAC, AAA, SIAC, KCAB, and LCIA rules, as well as litigated cases in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court and participated in cases filed to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.

With a strong foothold in the construction and infrastructure sectors, Chengdong provides legal services to clients throughout the life cycle of numerous infrastructure and landmark construction projects. His in-house experience with a leading construction conglomerate has equipped him with vast industry expertise, enabling him to precisely understand and swiftly address the specific needs and technicalities of construction-related issues.

Chengdong was recognised as an "Up & Rising" lawyer in 2021 Outstanding Young Lawyers Award by China Legal Education & Career Seminar Series (CLECSS). Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers identified him as a Top-Rated Construction Litigation Attorney in Rising Stars 2021. He was also recognised as a Rising Star in Real Estate by Crain’s New York Business 2020. 

Chengdong is a native Chinese and Shanghainese speaker, and is fluent in English.

Notable Cases & Transactions

• Acted for a Chinese contractor in a DIFC case over disputes related to performance and advance payment guarantees.
• Represented a well-known Chinese manufacturing enterprise in addressing a claim exceeding $20 million brought by the owner at KCAB, related to an environmental improvement project in South Korea.
• Represented a prominent Chinese state-owned enterprise in initiating international arbitration at SIAC against its core subcontractor in an overseas chemical project, to resolve disputes related to the subcontractor's suspension of performance due to sanctions and force majeure.
• Acted for a Chinese SOE in whole life-cycle legal services for a chemical EPC project in Europe, valued at nearly US$1.5 billion.
• Acted for a Chinese SOE in the assessment of claims and counter-claims in relation to its wind power EPC project in Kenya, with a dispute value exceeding US$30 million.
• Acted for a Chinese SOE in the preparation of claims and subsequent potential arbitration for its thermal power EPC project in the Middle East, involving complex EOT and Force Majeure claims, with an estimated value in dispute over US$100 million.
• Acted for a renowned Chinese oil and gas construction company in an international arbitration brought against the owner at the LCIA, addressing claims related to delays and additional costs, with the involved amount nearing $100 million.
• Represented a multinational energy company in an arbitration proceeding under AAA International Dispute Resolution Procedures, arising from several contracts related to the operation and maintenance of a wind farm, with a total value in dispute over US$30 million.
• Represented a multinational energy corporation in providing legal advice for an arbitration procedure in New York, conducted under AAA International Dispute Resolution Procedures. This included analysis of claims, dispute negotiations, and filing for arbitration, with potential disputed amounts exceeding $400 million.
• Represented a US developer in a claim for extension of time against a US-listed contractor in an arbitration under the AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Rules, involving a construction dispute concerning a New York landmark with a sum of dispute in excess of US$180 million.
• Represented a Chinese developer defending against a claim from a US contractor for a luxury residential project in New York, with a disputed sum exceeding US$25 million.
• Represented a leading Chinese construction enterprise in an arbitration initiated at CIETAC against the owner to claim construction payments and damages, while concurrently responding to the counterclaims raised by the owner.
• Provided negotiation and claim support for a well-known Chinese chemical company for the resumption and delay of two chemical projects in Tunisia, North Africa.
• Offered legal and contractual support during the project execution for a renowned Chinese chemical company in their chemical project in Qatar.
• Conducted claim assessment and analysis for a prominent Chinese state-owned enterprise on a series of housing projects in Sabah, Malaysia.
• Handled disputes related to product quality and installation flaws for a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned enterprise in a high-end residential project in Jakarta, Indonesia, involving a dispute with a supplier.
• Represented an internationally acclaimed Chinese-origin architect in the design tender for the Wuxi Art Museum project, providing legal opinions for the preparation of tender documents and the review of contract drafts.

Memberships/ Directorships

• Vice Chair, Central/East Asia & China Committee of ABA International Law Section

Publications/ Authorships

• How does the UK court view situations when the pre-litigation procedures stipulated in the contract have not been complied with (May 2023, WeChat Post)
• After losing an arbitration case, is the third-party funder responsible for paying the costs awarded to the winning party under the decision? What Indian courts say (July 2023, WeChat Post)
• Sharing Arbitration Information on Social Media? — Singapore Courts: “The More Said, The More Lost” in Arbitration Confidentiality (July 2023, WeChat Post)
• Hong Kong Courts Follow the Enka v Chubb Precedent to Determine the Governing Law of Dispute Resolution Clauses (March 2023, WeChat Post)
• Insights into ICC Decisions | The Arbitral Tribunal's Approach to Declaratory Relief in Construction Disputes (June 2022, WeChat Post on ICC Official Account)