The Chinese-European Arbitration Center (CEAC), the first international arbitration center designed to resolve China-Europe trade disputes, was inaugurated in northwestern German city Hamburg on Thursday.

The CEAC was initiated by Eckart Broedermann, chairman of the China-Europe Legal Association, a non-profit organization which owns the CEAC and ensures its neutrality.

"The CEAC serves as a bridge linking the Chinese companies and Europe," Broedermann said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

"It is a useful tool for dispute resolution in China-related trade and investment matters, adapted to the needs of the international business and legal communities," he said.

At present, the CEAC gets support from more than 400 lawyers from 44 countries and regions, including China, and clients can present their cases in three languages – Chinese, German and English.

The CEAC's jurisdiction is recognized by courts across the globe, Broedermann added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2008)