Secretary for Justice Highlights Hong Kong's Role in Global Legal Connectivity at Legal Forum 2024

Speech by SJ at Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development (with photos/video)

Following are the closing remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development under the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 today (November 5):

Your excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you very much again for participating in this year's Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development. I would first like to express my gratitude to the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR (OCMFA) for co-organising this forum with the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Hong Kong SAR. OCMFA's support and contribution are invaluable to the success of this event.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and especially to their General Counsel, Mr Alberto Ninio, who delivered an impactful keynote address on promotion of good governance and high-quality development under international law earlier this morning. Hong Kong, China became a member of AIIB in 2017. Our arrangement for secondment of DoJ counsel to the legal department of AIIB in the past few years has been conducive to enhancing our collaboration with AIIB and strengthening the development of Hong Kong international legal and dispute resolution services, especially in the financial fields.

Following the keynote address from AIIB, the two Panel Sessions examined the critical importance of legal connectivity in our increasingly globalised landscape, as well as its impact across various fields, from international trade and commerce, dispute resolution, sanctions to emerging domains such as the governance of artificial intelligence (AI). The experience and practice of Hong Kong in connecting with high-standard international legal rules provide a good illustration for our discussion. Allow me to reflect briefly on today's discussions and Hong Kong's role in these vital developments.

Cross-border legal connectivity and China's foreign-related rule of law

Legal connectivity transcends borders, bringing jurisdictions closer and promoting shared prosperity. As President Xi Jinping has noted, the fundamental purpose of advancing foreign-related rule of law is to better safeguard the interests of the country and the people, promote the progress of international rule of law and the development of a community with a shared future for mankind. China's institutional opening-up progresses alongside its development of foreign-related legal frameworks. The rule of law forms the foundation of a favourable business environment.

The first session explored Hong Kong's evolving legal landscape, where, under the "one country, two systems" framework, it serves as a strategic nexus for trade and commerce and dispute resolution, regionally in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as internationally. In this era of ever-changing global business norms, as China's institutional opening-up progresses, Hong Kong serves not only as a "super-connector" but also provides unique legal services under its legal and international arbitration framework.

Rule of law to safeguard sustainable development

On the importance of the rule of law to mitigate risks and to safeguard Hong Kong's and national sustainable development, the learned speakers have shared their insights into the global developments in financial sanctions and anti-sanctions, as well as legislative trends on anti-interference in major western countries.

As AI rapidly advances, it transforms industries and economies in a revolutionary way. This also brings with it complex global regulation and governance issues and related risks. As the final report on this subject by the United Nations Secretary-General appointed panel concludes, "the very nature of the technology itself - transboundary in structure and application - necessitates a global approach". The discussions on this topic today are timely and relevant as we consider how to safeguard sustainable development in an increasingly inter-connected world with AI.

As President Xi stressed during the 16th BRICS Summit, "as the world becomes more turbulent, it is even more important to uphold the banner of peace, development, co-operation and win-win outcomes". It is my sincere hope that the discussions in today's forum could bring out a spirit of co-operation and collaboration in traditional fields like economy and trade, as well as emerging areas like artificial intelligence, with our sustainable development safeguarded by the rule of law.

Hong Kong as a global legal and dispute resolution hub

On co-operation and development, aligned with Hong Kong's development of "eight centres" as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Department of Justice has taken forward policies to strengthen Hong Kong's role as a leading legal and dispute resolution hub.

The staunch support of the Central People's Government in strengthening the city as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region under the National 14th Five-Year Plan can be demonstrated by the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) Preparatory Office last year. The IOMed Preparatory Office has successfully facilitated the conclusion of negotiations on the Convention on Establishment of the IOMed last month. A decision has also been made by all the negotiating parties that a signing ceremony of the Convention will be held in Hong Kong next year and the IOMed headquarters will also be situated in Hong Kong once the Convention has entered into force.

As the world's first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, IOMed is important for the implementation of settling international disputes by peaceful means as set out in the United Nations Charter. Upon its establishment, the IOMed will provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services, thereby building Hong Kong as a capital for international mediation.

Apart from exciting development on IOMed, we also continue to enhance our collaboration with prominent law-related international organisations, such as the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), with which we co-organised this year's Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit yesterday. We are also in active discussion with UNIDROIT for the possible establishment of its liaison office in Hong Kong in the near future. These forms of collaborations enable Hong Kong to contribute to and align with international standards, thus enhancing its appeal as a global hub for dispute resolution.

In addition, with the support of the Central People's Government and the assistance of the OCMFA, the Department of Justice has put in place programmes to second local legal talents to several law-related international organisations including the UNIDROIT. Through participating in the work of such international organisations, local legal professionals can enhance their knowledge of international legal matters and develop global vision. Nurturing Hong Kong's legal talents is crucial for the sustainable development of the legal community, for consolidating our position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre and for the long-term development of the rule of law, matters to which the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government have attached great importance.

Fostering legal talent: Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy

Following the announcement in the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy will be officially launched on this Friday, Day five of Hong Kong Legal Week. To make good use of Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international legal status, the Training Academy will regularly organise practical training courses, seminars, international exchange programmes and more to promote exchanges among talents in regions along the Belt and Road region. It will also provide training for talents in the practice of foreign-related legal affairs for the country, and cultivate legal talents to be familiar with international law, common law, civil law, national legal systems and other legal areas. In future, our Department will make use of this capacity building platform to enable practitioners from different jurisdictions to exchange ideas on promoting the culture of harmony.

Looking ahead: Hong Kong's future role as an international legal hub

Looking to the future, we are reminded of the traditional Chinese saying by Confucius, in Chinese is "君子和而不同 and in English "a gentleman seeks harmony, not uniformity". This philosophy encourages us to pursue a shared vision despite our differences, and is crucial for enhancing interconnectivity and development in building a community of shared future for mankind. In our interconnected world, such harmony through diversity is essential for achieving lasting success and mutual respect across boundaries. Hong Kong's dedicated efforts in aligning with and contributing to international legal standards, its experience in international dispute resolution, as well as its commitment to legal capacity-building could leave a positive impact as the world navigates through complex challenges. 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.

In closing, my sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, supporting organisations, colleagues at the OCMFA and the DoJ for making this forum a success. I look forward to your support for the Third Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development next year. Thank you very much.

Speech by SJ at Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SJ at Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SJ at Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SJ at Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SJ at Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB reminds parents to choose primary schools under Central Allocation process for their children

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (January 12) reminded parents that children who have joined the Primary One Admission (POA) System for 2026 but have not yet secured a discretionary place can take part in the Central Allocation process for a Primary One (P1) place in a government or aided primary school. Parents concerned should make their choice of schools within the period from January 19 to 25.

Digitalisation of POA

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In line with the Smart Government strategy, the EDB has fully implemented digitalisation of the POA. Parents who have registered as POA e-Platform (ePOA) users and have bound their account to "iAM Smart+" may submit the Choice of Schools Form for Central Allocation from January 19 to 25 through the ePOA. Please refer to the related videos and Parent's Guide on the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for making school choices for the Central Allocation of POA via the e-Platform.

Making school choices at Central Allocation Centres

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The EDB will send letters to parents on January 14 inviting them to make their choice of schools. To cater for the needs of different parents, parents can still submit the Choice of Schools Form in paper form by visiting the designated Central Allocation Centre at the suggested time slot (i.e. 9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 24 (Saturday) or 9.30am to 12.30pm on January 25 (Sunday)) stated in the letter.

Parents who are ePOA users may choose to submit the Central Allocation Application via the ePOA or in paper form to the Central Allocation Centre but should not submit duplicate applications. Parents who have not yet received the letter by January 19 should call the School Places Allocation Section of the EDB (Hotline: 2832 7700) as soon as possible.

Only one parent of an applicant child is required to complete the school choice-making procedures. Parents are advised not to take their children to the Central Allocation Centre if possible. Parents who cannot make school choices within the suggested time slot can go to the designated Central Allocation Centre from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 25. The Choice of Schools Form will be sent together with the letter to parents who have submitted a paper Application Form at the Discretionary Places stage for filling out in advance.

In the event of adverse weather or other special conditions on any day during the period of making school choices, please pay heed to radio or television announcements on the relevant special arrangements.

Unable to submit application within specified choice-making period

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For individual parents who are unable to use the ePOA or go to the Central Allocation Centre to make school choices, they can authorise in writing a representative to bring the completed Choice of Schools Form and their signed Letter of Authorisation to the Central Allocation Centre to proceed with the related procedures.

To apply for POA 2026 for their children after January 25, parents need to complete necessary procedures with the School Places Allocation Section, which will separately arrange P1 places for the applicant children in June.

Change of residential address

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An EDB spokesman reminded parents that, if they have recently moved their residence or have such plans in the near future, they are required to inform the School Places Allocation Section as soon as possible so that they can make school choices in the POA School Net where their new home is located. Parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If they provide a false address for securing a P1 place, the POA application of their child will be rendered void and the P1 place allocated will be withdrawn.

The EDB has put in place a monitoring mechanism to verify the residential addresses of applicant children as given by the parents. Random checks have also been stepped up. The public may call the School Places Allocation Section to report suspected cases of using a false address by parents for their children's POA application. The EDB will take action against false address cases.

Mechanism of Central Allocation

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Central Allocation is composed of two parts. Part A, which takes up 10 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation, is for unrestricted school choices. Parents can choose up to three government or aided primary schools in any school net. Part B takes up the remaining 90 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation. Parents of applicant children residing in the school net concerned are to select schools from the "Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (Primary One Admission 2026)" of their school net, while parents of applicant children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong are to select schools from the "2026 Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (For Applicant Children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong)". Parents should fill in the Choice of Schools Form in the order of their preference.

The mechanism of the Central Allocation is based on parents' choices in general. The computer-programmed allocation will first process the school choices in Part A and then the school choices in Part B. For oversubscribed schools, the order of priority in allocating places will be determined by random numbers generated by the computer for individual applicants to ensure fairness.

For information about the procedures for Central Allocation, please call the EDB's 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088.

Release of Central Allocation results

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For parents who have already activated their ePOA account via "iAM Smart" or "iAM Smart+", they will receive their Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10am on June 3. Parents who wish to receive the allocation results via SMS on June 3 may choose such an option in the Choice of Schools Form. In addition, the allocation results will be sent to parents by post on June 3 and 4.

Source: AI-found images