Hong Kong welcomes overseas experts at high-level law forum to showcase city’s return as global legal hub
- Chief Executive John Lee hails participation of heads of international legal bodies at event, saying their attendance underscores advantages of city’s common law system
- Commissioner of foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong says city should uphold both national constitution and its own charter while acting as global super-connector
Hong Kong launched its flagship “Legal Week” on Monday, welcoming experts from across the world to the high-level forum that will showcase the city as an international legal and dispute-resolution services centre with business picking up again after three years of crippling pandemic restrictions.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu hailed the participation of heads of international legal bodies in the showpiece event, underscoring the advantages of the city’s rule of law as well as its common law system.
The forum commenced only days after the city hosted a major international banking summit and the popular Rugby Sevens tournament as part of an all-out campaign that Lee has promised will restore confidence in Hong Kong’s reputation as a vibrant business and tourism hub.
“The Hong Kong Legal Week 2022 is the starting point to showcase to the international community two important aspects of our legal system: first, the strengths of Hong Kong’s rule of law, and second, our diversified legal and dispute resolution services under this system,” he said in a pre-recorded opening speech for the event.
“Our message is clear: Hong Kong is onstage again!” Lee said.
He also pledged that the city was ready to offer the world the best of Hong Kong’s “professional services in commercial law, arbitration and intellectual property trading, as well as in finance, shipping and technology”.
Among the participants at the five-day conference are 27 foreign legal professionals and scholars, who included members of top international legal bodies, with the group flown in for the annual event by the city’s Department of Justice. Representatives from Japan and Asean member states also attended the event.