Hong Kong legal professionals who will take up positions in key international legal organizations pose for photos at a launching ceremony for their secondment in Hong Kong on Sept 10, 2021. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)
Five young Hong Kong legal professionals, including civil servants and practicing lawyers, will take up positions in key international legal organizations upon the recommendation from the central government.
The decision was announced at a launch ceremony for their secondment held in Hong Kong on Friday.
This is not only a personal opportunity for the five, but also an honor for the special administrative region.
Chen Dong, Deputy director, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR
The five youths will work in three leading legal organizations. Two of them will assume office at the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and two others at the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, while one will serve at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific.
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Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, hoped the Hong Kong young people will take the opportunity to showcase the competitive strength of the Hong Kong legal sector to the world. At the same time, they will keep abreast of the latest developments and practical experience in global governance and international rule-making, to serve the country in terms of legal issues related to foreign affairs.
Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gives a speech at a launching ceremony for the secondment of five Hong Kong professionals who will take up positions in leading international legal organizations, in Hong Kong, on Sept 10, 2021. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)
Liu called on them to defend the country's interests in their posts. And they can set a good example for Hong Kong young people to shoulder responsibility as Chinese nationals and seize the opportunity of national development.
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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor expected these Hong Kong youths to grow into outstanding legal talent to boost Hong Kong's status as an international legal center. The city is facing huge opportunities to serve the nation's Belt and Road Initiative, in which both Chinese mainland and international enterprises are in great demand for legal and arbitration services.
The five will set out for their new positions after the ceremony.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivers a speech at a launching ceremony for the secondment of five Hong Kong professionals who will take up positions in leading international legal organizations, in Hong Kong, on Sept 10, 2021. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)
In 2019, the commissioner's office also sent five Hong Kong young civil servants to serve as junior professional officers at the United Nations.
Chen Dong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said in a speech that it was another good instance of the country creating a platform for the city's youngsters to take to the international stage.
"To learn and work at an international organization is an opportunity that many Hong Kong youngsters yearn for. But it can only be achieved with the nation growing stronger and the intuitive strength of the 'one country, two systems' arrangement," Chen said.
This is not only a personal opportunity for the five, but also an honor for the special administrative region, he said.
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Chen Dong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, speaks at a launching ceremony for the secondment of five Hong Kong professionals who will take up positions in leading international legal organizations, in Hong Kong, on Sept 10, 2021. (RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY)
Working in these international groups can enrich professional skillsets for these youngsters and in the meantime could provide different perspectives and channels for them to understand the world and the nation, he said, calling on the five to cherish the fine opportunity.
Working in these international groups can enrich professional skillsets for these youngsters and in the meantime could provide different perspectives and channels for them to understand the world and the nation, he said, calling on the five to cherish the fine opportunity.
