How's this: Hong Kong recognized on world stage as an international city

Mark Pinkstone/Former Chief Information Officer of HK government

The words of China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi were loud and clear. The results of Hong Kong becoming a Special Administrative Region of China came about after successful negotiations between two sovereign states.

During the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) to be headquartered in Hong Kong, Wang cited Hong Kong as a success story of the peaceful settlement for international disputes.

"The city enjoys exceptional advantages in international mediation," Wang said, citing for example, its affinity to the motherland and connection to the world, its enabling business environment, its highly developed legal system, and its strength in both common law and civil law.

And in the words of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, the IOMed will become the world's first intergovernmental international legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation.

“It also reflects our shared confidence in mediation as a peaceful means to maintain international peace and security, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations,” he said

Wang said the new organisation, as a "rising star", will grow together with Hong Kong as the Pearl of the Orient.

Indeed, Hong Kong is well positioned to be the headquarters of such an august body that parallels only with the United Nations, which had representatives attending the signing ceremony.

Also attending the ceremony were representatives from 60 countries and some 20 related organisations.

Moreover, the choice of Hong Kong as the headquarters of IOMed was endorsed from various world leaders attending the signing ceremony.

Minister for Foreign Affairs in Thailand, Surakiart Sathirathai said Hong Kong has the reputation, a very positive one, with a world-renowned legal infrastructure and judicial system. “Hong Kong has an international reputation for being the centre for various dispute resolutions and Hong Kong has an excellent personality with international reputation. I think Hong Kong, of course, is well positioned to host this headquarters of IOMed,” he said.

His words were echoed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar who said that the signing ceremony not only marked the beginning of a new era in international mediation and diplomacy, but also the birth of an important global institution to support the principles of multilateralism and mediation. “I must also commend the choice of Hong Kong as headquarters of the newly established organization as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ where East meets West. This dynamic city is well poised for this transformational journey,” he said.

Despite what the US administration and its western followers continually sprout poisonous rhetoric to decry Hong Kong, the city still reigns supreme as an international entity due to its rule of law and legal system as well as its infallible ability to get things done under the most trying circumstances. They are simply jealous of Hong Kong’s ability to achieve success where they fail to make any movements forward.

Hong Kong’s location in the centre of Asia and as the gateway to China makes it accessible to all major markets in the region. It is also home to some 1,400 foreign companies that have established their regional headquarters in Hong Kong as well as some 10,000 foreign companies have set up shop in Hong Kong. Its financial sector is second to none in the region.

Of course Hong Kong already offers expertise in the fields of mediation with the Hong Kong Mediation Centre (HKMC), established in 1999 as the first professional mediation organisation recognised as a charitable institution in Hong Kong. It has more than 1,000 members from various professional sectors and plays a leading role in the mediation industry. So, for more than 20 years, the centre has strived to promote the development of mediation through its diverse services, aiming to create a harmonious community. Apart from professional mediation services provision, its scope of services extends to areas such as professional training, professionalisation, public education and external collaboration.

According to this year's International Arbitration Survey, Hong Kong is the most preferred seat of arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region and shares second place globally with Singapore. Hong Kong’s economy also came first in "business legislation" and "international trade" in the World Competitiveness Yearbook. And in the latest Business Ready Report published by the World Bank Group, Hong Kong ranks eighth in "dispute resolution" among the 50 economies covered.

Mark Pinkstone

** 博客文章文責自負,不代表本公司立場 **

Mark Pinkstone/Former Chief Information Officer of HK government

What is it with US politicians? Without any facts on hand, they willy-nilly pass laws to degrade Hong Kong as if the city is a horrible monster that needs to be eliminated.

China hawks Dan Sullivan (Rep. Alaska), John Curtis (Rep. Utah) and Jeff Merkley (Dem. Oregon) have introduced the Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act listing 45 judges and prosecutors for sanctions. Why?

Hong Kong enjoys the same common law legal system that applies to the US. Yet, they accuse the judiciary of human rights violations and call for support to the Hong Kongers facing persecution from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its so-called accomplices in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong judiciary has the same checks and balances as the US, so how can it engage in human rights violations?

The senators have obviously not done their homework. Hong Kong has retained its position in the 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, ranking sixth in East Asia and the Pacific and 23rd globally amongst 142 countries and jurisdictions. Ironically, the US was at 26th place, three points behind Hong Kong! The senators should fix their own judicial system before criticizing others.

Further, the trio introduced a resolution condemning the Chinese government for engaging in repression, coercion and intimidation beyond its own borders, targeting citizens of other nations, including in the United States. Who? Those fleeing justice?

Wow! And not a shred of evidence to back up their claims. It appears to be just political posturing; another drop in the US cauldron of black propaganda targeting Hong Kong and China.

Of course, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government (HKSAR) strongly condemned the US senators’ resolution. It said safeguarding national security falls within the internal affairs of a sovereign jurisdiction, so the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) is free from any intervention.

“However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called 'sanctions' against the HKSAR personnel and judges who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR despises any so-called 'sanctions' and shall never be intimidated.
“It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies and immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs," said a government statement issued over the weekend.

Hong Kong’s position is clear: We will not be intimidated!

Hong Kong stands tall in the world. It is the axis of Asia and is an aviation hub with aircraft taking off or landing every minute of the day. Its financial base has 70 of the largest 100 banks around the globe and more than 29 multinational banks have established regional headquarters in Hong Kong. It is a safe place, thanks to its rule of law.

Yet Sullivan rants: “The Chinese Communist Party’s aggressive repression of dissent and appalling human rights record extend far beyond China’s borders.” He claims that even American citizens and others lawfully living in the US have found themselves victims of the CPC regime’s intimidation and coercion tactics.

In Hong Kong, he said, the CPC has completely corrupted the local judiciary and is turning it into a tool of intimidation and injustice, contrary to the promises made to the world, including in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Rubbish! China has stuck by the terms of the Joint Declaration, which is the cornerstone of the very successful one country, two systems style of governance in Hong Kong.

He added that this is why he and others were introducing legislation to hold Hong Kong judiciary officials accountable for their actions, and a resolution condemning the Xi dictatorship’s outrageous attempts to threaten and intimidate citizens and others within the US.

The 70,000 US citizens living in Hong Kong must cringe in shame when their elected representatives in parliament and leaders utter total lies about Hong Kong. There are good people who see Hong Kong for what it is. It is a place they chose to live and do business, where their children go to school. Life for them must be difficult when their own government and their elected representatives decries their business activities. They carry the stigma of a broken regime. But no matter what, they are always welcome in Hong Kong.