Tag Archives: China

     Following are the opening remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the 8th International Mediation Summit today (August 22):

Vice Director Mr Tohti Yakov (Vice Director of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region), Vice Chairman Mr Yu Jianlong (Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It is with great pleasure and honour to speak again at the International Mediation Summit and gather here today in Urumqi, such a vibrant city of Xinjiang. Not only is the Urumqi city embraced with the warm hospitality and rich culture, it is also a key hub with remarkable economic growth and a strategic gateway to the Belt and Road Initiative. At the forefront of opening-up, there are boundless development opportunities and many important events have chosen to take place here. This is my indeed third visit to Urumqi this year. In January this year, I led a Hong Kong delegation to participate in a forum on China-Uzbekistan co-operation held here. Two months ago in June, I also attended the 8th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to foster mutual co-operation and closer ties.
 
     This time, with great excitement, I am thrilled to join the International Mediation Summit, which is the largest and the highest profile forum on mediation in China. This summit provides an instrumental platform for enhancing international co-operation and communication in the field of mediation, which is a pillar of dispute resolution that is essential for fostering a thriving business environment.
 
     The theme of this year is “Deepen Reform and Innovation in Dispute Resolution Mechanism and Promote the Development of Economic Trade and Investment”. It could not be more timely or important. Urumqi has been playing a crucial role in fostering international trade relationships and facilitating economic exchange between China and other Belt and Road countries. To support the sustainable economic growth in the region and beyond, Hong Kong, as the leading international legal and dispute resolution hub, remains steadfastly committed to promote the use of mediation and driving innovation in this regard.
 
     Being the only common law jurisdiction in China, Hong Kong has unique strengths under “one country, two systems”, enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Hong Kong’s strong legal foundation and institutional advantages facilitate international investment and trade. Particularly in dispute resolution, Hong Kong is dedicated to promoting the use of mediation in disputes, in order to foster a favourable business and investment environment.
 
International Organization for Mediation (IOMed)
 
     From an international perspective, with the staunch support from the Central Government, Hong Kong has been chosen to host the headquarters for the International Organization for Mediation, further consolidating our city’s role as an international hub for dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region. Once established, the IOMed will be an international intergovernmental organisation that provides friendly, flexible, economical, and efficient mediation services for international disputes. This demonstrates the growing global appreciation for the power of mediation in resolving complex conflicts.
 
Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training
 
     The Belt and Road Initiative has strengthened connectivity and promoted international trade between China and the countries along the routes. Xinjiang, without doubt, has been an important corridor to Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. In view of the upsurge of investor-state disputes arising from multilateral trade opportunities, we see the need of capacity building for investor-state mediation for resolving disputes efficiently.
 
     Since 2018, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has co-organised bespoke training programmes on the Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator for mediation practitioners and government officials around the globe. So far, over 270 participants from 40 different jurisdictions have completed the training. Through the training course, we would continue nurturing talents on investment mediation, and impressing upon governments the benefits of using mediation in resolving investment disputes. 
 
Greater Bay Area
 
     Hong Kong is also at the heart of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and we have been actively exploring to capitalise on our distinctive potentials and complement the national development. To promote the wider use of mediation in the GBA, the joint conference of the legal departments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao has endorsed mediator accreditation standards, code of conduct best practices and cross-boundary dispute mediation model rules. 
 
     The three places have respectively formulated a set of local accreditation rules and will target to establish a joint panel of GBA mediators within this year, ending up with a standardised and highly professional mediation services in the region.
 
Deepening the mediation culture
 
     Our efforts do not stop here. We are also committed to deepening the mediation culture within our local communities and expanding its reach onto the global level. We thrive to cultivate an environment where mediation is embraced as a preferred method for resolving disputes.
 
     It is our vision that mediation can be used to effectively resolve conflicts in various sectors of the community. We implement measures to empower the general public with the ability to apply mediation and mediation skills in resolving disputes in the community, including disputes relating to neighbourhood, building management, consumers and social welfare, etc, through organising mediation events.
 
     Since 2009, the DoJ has promoted the “Mediate First” pledge among individuals, companies, and organisations from various sectors. At present, we are happy to note that over 890 companies, organisations and individuals have signed this non-legally binding statement of commitment to explore mediation as the primary mean of dispute resolution.
 
     With the mediation culture gaining traction in Hong Kong, we spare no efforts in promoting the “Mediate First” Pledge event outside of Hong Kong, and so far have introduced this event in Shanghai, Qianhai, Shenzhen, and Bangkok. Going forward, the DoJ will endeavour to further promote this brand in the GBA cities and overseas, encouraging greater use of mediation and unleashing the power of mediation worldwide.
 
Conclusion
 
     Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to the CCPIT for organising this summit. I am confident that the discussions and insights shared at this summit will pave the way for greater co-operation, innovation, and synergy in the field of mediation. Let us seize this opportunity to leverage collective expertise, forge meaningful partnerships, and chart a course towards a more harmonious and prosperous future. Thank you.

    

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (August 22) that all tickets for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Mainland Olympians delegation gala show and sports demonstrations have been sold out.  &nbs… read more

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Kick-off Ceremony for E-mobility Ecosystem Parternship today (August 22): 
 
Consul-General (the Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong, Mr Chaturont Chaiyakam), Clara (the Chief Exectuve Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), Ms Clara Chan), Vincent (the Chief Executive Officer of Spark, Mr Vincent Yip), Will (the Chief Operating Officer of Spark, Mr Voravee Plookcharoen), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 
 
     Good morning. 
 
     It gives me great pleasure to join you today, to take part in the launch of a strategic partnership between Hong Kong and Thailand to build an e-mobility ecosystem together.
 
     Under this opportune partnership, the HKIC will be investing in Spark, a joint venture company set up by Hong Kong and Thai EV-charging tech firms, to support large-scale application of Hong Kong’s best-in-class EV technologies in Thailand. 
 
     Spark will be collaborating with Bangchak Corporation Public Company BCP, a leading energy company in Thailand, to install fast-charging facilities in BCP’s petrol stations, and in a variety of other locations across the country. 
 
     But the project goes well beyond EV charging. Spark is committed to building an e-mobility ecosystem that also comprises real-time monitoring and management of charging systems, analysis of mobility big data, talent training, and more importantly, new business and service models enabled by EV charging – be they coffee shops, convenience stores, restaurants – that customers enjoy as they leave their vehicles for charging. 
 
     This, ladies and gentlemen, is an international partnership to be excited about.
 
     BCP is a great partner in this project. A leading energy company in Thailand, it boasts a comprehensive network of energy facilities. 
 
     Committed to “Greenovation”, BCP is making great contributions to Thailand’s net-zero targets. That includes engaging in clean-energy production and driving new products and solutions in renewable energy.
 
     The Group’s strategic goals and extensive reach in Thailand provide the perfect platform for Spark to deploy Hong Kong’s e-mobility technologies at scale.
 
     Globally, countries are setting targets to phase out fossil-fuel vehicles. The International Energy Agency has estimated that the demand for new-energy vehicles will reach 45 million by 2030. 
 
     A big, if not critical, challenge is how to provide the necessary infrastructure and services to facilitate EV penetration in support of the green transition.
 
     Hong Kong is a keen contributor in this regard. We have one of the highest EV penetration rates in Asia. Around 65 per cent of newly registered vehicles in the city are EVs. 
 
     While Hong Kong is not home to mass EV production, our tech community is creating many innovative solutions for EVs and other new-energy applications.
 
     As for Thailand, it has outlined clear plans to decarbonise its transportation sector. The country’s EV market is fast-emerging. Under the 30@30 Policy Plan, Thailand’s goal is for EVs to reach 30 per cent of its total automotive production by 2030. 
 
     While many EV factories have already been established in the country, its charging infrastructure has only recently begun to gain momentum.
 
     That makes this partnership all the more meaningful. Hong Kong is proud to assist Thailand in its green transformation, using cutting-edge technologies developed by our tech firms, and contributing our know-how, innovation, expertise and experience.
 
     This high-profile, international project is a brilliant showcase of our green technological capabilities. It reinforces Hong Kong’s aspirations and prospects to become an international green tech and green finance centre.
 
     And HKIC, I’m pleased to say, is playing an important role in this, channelling capital into promising enterprises and projects, thereby lending its support to new technologies, new business models and new sectors. 
 
      By creating more application scenarios and opportunities for our companies and their technologies, I’m confident they will boost their business, while putting a bright spotlight on Hong Kong as a regional and international centre for innovation and technology.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, this partnership is only the beginning. I have no doubt that more fresh opportunities and collaborations will follow, in green transition, smart mobility and other innovative areas, in Thailand, throughout the region and beyond. And that can only benefit our communities, the environment and the world.
 
     For these, and a great many other reasons, please join me now in congratulating this bellwether partnership – and wishing it enduring, far-reaching success for us all. 
 
     Thank you.

      

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:        The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene (the Panel) began the four-day duty visit to Nanjing an… read more