Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 Highlights City’s Role as Asia-Pacific Legal Hub

2024-11-08 17:18 Last Updated At：19:28

Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes

Themed "Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China and Beyond", Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 concluded today (November 8). The five-day annual flagship event of the legal sector and the Department of Justice (DoJ) was attended by a total of about 2 500 participants in person and online from nearly 50 jurisdictions, demonstrating Hong Kong's status as the leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 successfully concludes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment event was held today as the finale of Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, gave a video speech at the opening session. The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, and the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, also gave their opening remarks at the session. The keynote speech was delivered by Vice-Minister of Justice Mr Wang Zhenjiang.

It was followed by a panel discussion under the main theme of "A comprehensive regime provides a stable environment for businesses to grow" to explore how Hong Kong's unique strengths including its robust legal and judicial system, stringent anti-corruption and IP (intellectual property) protection framework and transparent mechanisms for dispute resolution position Hong Kong as a premier destination for businesses aiming for growth, innovation, and success in the competitive global arena. A Fireside Chat on good stories of Hong Kong enterprises was then held to discuss how Hong Kong's strategic positioning within the national framework has enabled its enterprises to thrive both locally and globally.

The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy was officially launched during today's event in the afternoon. Capitalising on Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international status, the Academy will regularly organise different practical legal courses, seminars, international exchange activities and so forth to promote talent exchanges in areas along the Belt and Road. It will also provide foreign-related legal talent training for the country, as well as cultivate legal talent who are familiar with international law, common law, civil law, national legal systems as well as litigation and advocacy skills. Another panel discussion on the talent along the Belt and Road was conducted in the afternoon to examine how the next generation of talent can be better equipped to meet the evolving needs of the country's rule of law.

Mr Lam also witnessed the signing of the co-operation agreement between the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Lawyers Association to facilitate regular exchanges and strengthen collaboration.

The Rule of Law: The Best Business Environment event and Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 were concluded with the closing remarks by Mr Lam.

Meanwhile, the DoJ has secured the hosting of the 11th Asia and Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors later this month. The DoJ will continue its efforts to organise a variety of relevant events to reinforce the public awareness of the rule of law and promote Hong Kong's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia‑Pacific region.

Hong Kong Celebrates Shenzhou-23 Launch and Local Astronaut's Historic Achievement in Manned Spaceflight.

ExCo Non-official Members congratulate successful launch of manned Shenzhou-23 spacecraft

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (May 24) warmly congratulate the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship. They extend their highest respect to all crew members, including Dr Lai Ka-ying, the first payload expert from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, "This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. This mission is the first manned spaceflight during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the first time a Hong Kong expert has participated, which is a truly momentous occasion. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the country for providing Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent with this invaluable opportunity to take part in the country's aerospace endeavours. Dr Lai has successfully undergone the rigorous selection and training process to become one of the country's fourth batch of astronauts, and China's fourth female astronaut to reach space, contributing Hong Kong's strength to the national aerospace endeavours. She has exemplified the Lion Rock spirit of rising to challenges with resilience and perseverance. Her courage and determination are truly admirable, and all Hong Kong citizens are immensely inspired and proud of her. The understanding and support of her family are also essential for her to participate in this mission with resolution. I am deeply grateful for their support and commitment.

"The HKSAR Government is actively developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre and supporting promising research projects through various funding schemes. As an example, the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) camera, developed under a project led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and funded by the Government's Innovation and Technology Support Programme Special Call on Aerospace Technology, has successfully arrived at China's Tiangong Space Station, becoming Hong Kong's first scientific payload aboard the station. This fully demonstrates Hong Kong's innovation and technology edge and talent advantages."

Non-official Members of the Executive Council expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the country for its high recognition of Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent, development and achievements, as well as its profound emphasis, care and support for Hong Kong's scientific and technological development. They firmly believe that the HKSAR Government will seize this historic moment to nurture more outstanding innovation and technology talent for the country and Hong Kong, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 Highlights City’s Role as Asia-Pacific Legal Hub

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