Hong Kong justice minister says city must be international legal hub as part of national duty
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam says China expects Hong Kong to serve as an international legal and dispute resolution centre. He says the recent Hong Kong Legal Week and the opening of UNIDROIT’s liaison office in the city are symbolically important amid global protectionism.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said on 8 November that China has expectations and tasks for Hong Kong, namely to serve as an international centre for legal and dispute resolution services. Speaking on a radio programme, Lam said he feels a great responsibility as secretary for justice and hopes to do as much as possible, while also providing good legal services to colleagues within the government.
Lam described the Hong Kong Legal Week, held last week, as symbolically significant. He noted that the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) held the opening ceremony of its Hong Kong liaison office on the first day of Legal Week, alongside celebrations for its 100th anniversary.
Lam said that although many countries pursue unilateralism and protectionism, he believes no civilised society would accept such approaches. With changes in the global environment and continued economic development in the Asia-Pacific and other regions, he said the establishment of international organisations in Hong Kong with national support carries important strategic significance for the country.
The justice minister added that the presence of such organisations in Hong Kong also reflects the city's good reputation and rule-of-law environment, and that it plays an important role in the country's push for a fairer, rules-based global governance system.
Lam said this year's Legal Week theme of 'collaboration' was intended to take a leading role in encouraging more local legal professionals to understand the latest environment and strengthen collaboration both internally and externally.