Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development held today (with photos)
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The Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development, organised by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Department of Justice (DoJ), was held today (November 5) as part of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. More than 900 registrations from over 40 jurisdictions have been received for this event.
The keynote address was delivered by the General Counsel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Mr Alberto Ninio, on promoting good governance and high-quality development under international law. It was followed by an exchange on the interconnectivity of rules and the contribution of the HKSAR to China’s institutional opening-up, including the HKSAR’s role as a “super-connector” bridging the Mainland and global markets, the unique strengths of the HKSAR in the interface of rules and mechanisms in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as the extensive practice and experience of the HKSAR in the field of international arbitration.
The Legal Forum also discussed the importance of the rule of law in mitigating risks and safeguarding sustainable development for both the HKSAR and the nation against the backdrop of financial sanctions, foreign interference and the emergence of artificial intelligence.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Mr Cui Jianchun, emphasised that, in light of unprecedented changes around the globe and China’s strategic arrangements for further comprehensive reform, Hong Kong can capitalise on the rule of law to reach greater heights by seizing the “Three-fold Opportunities” brought about by the improvement of the Hong Kong’s rule of law, China’s rule of law development, and development of global governance. It is crucial for Hong Kong to strengthen the rule of law by reinforcing competitiveness in the legal field, improving connectivity of its rules and standards and bolstering confidence in the rule of law. The OCMFA is committed to working with the legal field to help Hong Kong make new contributions to the new era of China’s national development.
In his closing remarks for the Legal Forum, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, emphasised his hope that the discussions in the forum could bring out a spirit of co-operation and collaboration in traditional fields and emerging areas, with the sustainable development safeguarded by the rule of law. Citing Confucius’ saying “a gentleman seeks harmony, not uniformity”, Mr Lam highlighted that in an interconnected world, such harmony through diversity is essential for achieving lasting success and mutual respect across boundaries. As China moves towards deeper institutional opening-up, Hong Kong has a significant role to play in facilitating international engagement and promoting the progress of international rule of law.
For more details on the Legal Week, please visit the dedicated website www.legalweek.hk.