Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks at the Hong Kong-ASEAN Summit 2022 in Hong Kong, Nov 3, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Monday the central government fully supports Hong Kong’s retaining its legal system and rule of law. He also said the international community has confidence and trust in the city’s role in the Asia-Pacific region as a center for global arbitration and dispute resolution.

With the support of the nation, the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office will set up an office in Hong Kong, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. The office is expected to open next year

Lee made the remarks at the Asia-Pacific Private International Law Summit, the first day of this year’s Hong Kong Legal Week, the annual flagship event of the Department of Justice.

With the support of the nation, the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office will set up an office in Hong Kong, Lee said. The office is expected to open next year.

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This developmentfully demonstrates the international community’s trust and confidence in the city as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in the Asia-Pacific region, he added.

The central government will provide full support to the city in maintaining its legal system and rule of law, which is its core value and key to the success, Lee said.

He said the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit last week and this week’s Legal Week are participants’ votes of confidence in Hong Kong’s rule of law under “one country, two systems”.

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This undated photo shows a view of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / IC)

Lee said the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit last week and this week’s Legal Week are participants’ votes of confidence in Hong Kong’s rule of law under “one country, two systems"

“Hong Kong has sent a clear message to the world that it is back,” Lee said, adding that legal professionals in the city will provide professional service in areas such as business, finance, arbitration and technology.

Many international large-scale events were held last week, including the Hong Kong Sevens, an annual popular rugby tournament that was suspended in 2020 and 2021.

The five-day legal week, which kicked off on Monday, has attracted 27 leaders of international groups and high-ranking officials of Southeast Asian countries. This year, the discussion includes topics that include international conventions and the Belt and Road Initiative. The event is held both online and offline.

Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said more and more international legal organizations have set up offices in Hong Kong, which is a strong embodiment of Hong Kong’s legal strength.

The challenges the Hong Kong society has encountered in its socioeconomic development further prove that the rule of law is the only way for Hong Kong to achieve prosperity and stability, said Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR

The “one country, two systems” principle has assured that Hong Kong’s law-based governance is a reliable system that will keep the city prosperous and stable in the long run.

The challenges the Hong Kong society has encountered in its socioeconomic development further prove that the rule of law is the only way for Hong Kong to achieve prosperity and stability, he said.

Ignacio Tirado, secretary-general of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, said at the same event that the advantages of Hong Kong’s legal system are obvious.

Tirado, whose last visit to the city was three years ago, expressed his joy at returning to the city and meeting others at this important event, saying Hong Kong is an important legal hub.

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He said it is important to bring back this kind of activities after the pandemic has so severely slowed the global economy.