Charles TIAN XIAOMING

Matters of significance in which Charles has been involved in include acting for the following:

• A Hong Kong subsidiary of a major Chinese state-owned mining company against a Hong Kong subsidiary of a Chinese conglomerate in multiple SIAC arbitrations, in respect of disputes arising out of international sale contracts for oil products amounting to a total claim of over US$138 million. These arbitral proceedings have implications for other similar contracts, the total value of which exceeds US$1.3 billion, as well as for parallel proceedings commenced in Hong Kong.
•  A Chinese company in an HKIAC arbitration against a world leading mining and mineral processing company regarding a contractual dispute in the photovoltaic industry, with claims valued at more than US$300 million.
• The Independent State of Papua New Guinea against a Singapore-incorporated company in an ICSID arbitration in respect of disputes arising from the State’s imposition of tax measures resulting in a tax of over US$100 million.
• A Hong Kong investor against the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in an investment arbitration under PRC-Laos BIT in respect of disputes arising out of the State’s revocation of investment licenses and deprivation of shares, assets, and operation rights over a cement plant in Laos.
• Thai coal-mining company against the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in an UNCITRAL arbitration in respect of disputes arising out of an agreement for the construction and operation of a lignite-fired power generation plant involving claims in excess of US$450 million.
• Korean companies against three Respondents incorporated in the PRC, Cayman Islands and the Republic of Korea in an ICC arbitration in respect of disputes arising from a software licensing agreement involving claims in excess of US$700 million.

Related Practices

• International Arbitration 
• Commercial & Corporate Disputes
• China 
• Shipping, International Trade & Commodities Disputes
   

• Has the Game Changed for China-related Arbitration? Global Arbitration Review 
• Alternative Fee Arrangements with Counsel: What Should be Noted by Arbitration Users? Kluwer Arbitration Blog 
• Joinder and Consolidation Provisions under 2021 ICC Arbitration Rules: Enhancing Efficiency and Flexibility for Resolving Complex Disputes. Kluwer Arbitration Blog 
• Whether International Arbitration is Suitable for Low-value Disputes? Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre 
• Singapore Permits Conditional Fee Agreements Between Lawyers and Clients, WongPartnership LLP, LegisWatch June 2022 
• Arbitral Tribunal Rules on Scope of Arbitral Consent under PRC-Singapore BIT, WongPartnership LLP CaseWatch March 2023 
• Shift Towards International Practice? Key Takeaways from Arbitrations Involving Chinese Parties, WongPartnership LLP LegisWatch February 2024 
• Practical Insights on Fraud and Corruption – China, Kluwer Law International, 2024 and 2025
• ICSID Rules and Regulations 2022: Article-by-Article Commentary (Bloomsbury Publishing) 
• Singapore: International Arbitration Comparative Guide, Mondaq 
• Investment Treaty Arbitration: Singapore, Lexology Getting the Deal Through
• The Guide to Investment Treaty Protection and Enforcement - Accessing Investment Treaty Protection: Investor Perspective, Global Arbitration Review 
   

Benchmark Litigation 2025 – China: International Arbitration 

"We referred the work to WongPartnership because we believed that having Singaporean counsel with expertise in cross-examination would be highly beneficial for this case, given the complexity of the witnesses involved. We wanted to ensure that the hearing was handled by experienced professionals who could effectively manage the testimony and provide strategic support in the courtroom. Charles’ skills in this area made them an ideal team for this matter, and the outcome of the hearing confirmed the value of their contribution. Both our client and we were very satisfied with the results."

"Charles is both a Chinese lawyer and an overseas lawyer, which allows him to fully understand the needs of our company while being highly familiar with international practices. He is a professional in international arbitration and dispute resolution, young but experienced in this field, and has successfully assisted our company in handling a series of cases. I would recommend him as our legal advisor."