Hong Kong Legco subcommittee approves HK$467 million in funding for turning old police station into international mediation office
- Justice minister Paul Lam says failing to deliver project by 2025 may lead to serious consequences
- The centre set to become first to specialise in mediation for resolution of international disputes
A Hong Kong legislative subcommittee on Tuesday approved more than HK$460 million (US$58.8 million) in funding for turning an old police station into the headquarters of an international mediation organisation, with the city’s justice minister warning failure to deliver by 2025 may lead to diplomatic issues.
The government sought HK$466.6 million in funding for the conversion of the old Wan Chai Police Station into the headquarters of the International Organisation for Mediation, which is led by China and other relevant states.
The site stretching over an area of about 1,960 square metres (21,097 sq ft) will provide an office, mediation centre and other related supporting facilities to meet the operational needs of the organisation.
The headquarters should be made available within 2025, under an agreement reached between parties involved in the negotiation of an international convention for the establishment of the organisation, according to the government. Authorities are aiming for substantial completion by the middle of next year to meet the timeline.
“It is the first international intergovernmental organisation to set up its headquarters in Hong Kong,” Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said at a meeting with the Legislative Council’s public works subcommittee.
He said it would become the first international intergovernmental organisation specialising in mediation for the resolution of global disputes.
Lam added authorities were committed to getting the headquarters ready by 2025, adding failing to deliver could lead to serious consequences.
Central Police Station complex reopening after 8-year restoration
“It is a matter of diplomacy. We made commitments in serious international treaty negotiations, so I think the consequences may be more serious than fines as this is what our country promised other countries to do on our behalf,” he said.
Lawmakers also questioned the estimated cost of the project during the meeting.
According to authorities, the construction floor area of the project is about 5,083 square metres. The estimated cost of the construction unit is HK$62,384 per square metre, which is considered comparable with other similar government projects.
“The renovation and conservation of each historical building is very different,” lawmaker Chan Siu-hung said. “I would like to know which similar government projects were put in comparison when considering whether the price is reasonable.”
Director of Architectural Services Michael Li Kiu-yin said authorities had compared the prices of the former French Mission Building and the Court of Final Appeal in Central.
“It is in fact difficult to compare the prices as each revitalised building has its own uniqueness,” he said, adding the project would take about 1½ years to be completed, with about 40 per cent fewer working hours than usual.
The government would need to secure a green light for the funding request from the Legco’s Finance Committee next.
The city set up a preparatory office for the International Organisation for Mediation earlier last year.
Last November, China submitted to the preparatory office an expression of interest for hosting the organisation’s headquarters in Hong Kong, with the old Wan Chai Police Station, a Grade 2 historic building, being identified as a suitable site.
Budget for Central Police Station conversion double HK$1.8b estimate
The headquarters were agreed by consensus to be located in the city during negotiations earlier this year.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi gave his blessings for the organisation in a letter revealed during the office opening last year, calling it part of China’s efforts to promote world peace.
