GBA Legal Conference Advances Mediation, Arbitration, and Talent Development Initiatives Across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Seventh Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference advances co-operation in rule of law construction to new levels

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (December 9) hosted the seventh Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Legal Departments Joint Conference. The Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Xudong, and the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Wong Sio Chak, respectively led a delegation to attend the conference.

In the conference, the Department of Justice (DoJ) and representatives of the legal departments of Guangdong and Macao engaged in comprehensive discussions on several major areas, such as the interfaces of legal talent and regulatory frameworks of mediation and arbitration. Substantial results were achieved by the meeting, fully demonstrating the positive role of the joint conference mechanism of the legal departments of the three places.

The meeting reached a consensus on the proposal by the DoJ to establish a GBA commercial mediation and arbitration platform. The platform will bring together mediation and arbitration institutions in the GBA to jointly promote the establishment and adoption of relevant GBA standards, and collectively enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution in the region.

The three places reviewed the GBA Mediator Panel 2025 and the Panel of GBA Arbitrators, and agreed to work towards the common goal of updating the GBA Mediator Panel and introducing the Panel of GBA Arbitrators by the end of this year, marking a new phase in the building of a talent pool for dispute resolution in the GBA.

The three places also discussed the latest developments in nurturing foreign-related legal talent, including the work of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy.

On the interface of regulatory frameworks, the three places agreed to jointly explore pathways to promote the establishment of the GBA arbitration model rules.

In addition, the conference for the first time discussed policy measures related to promoting high-quality development in the GBA, enhancing mutual understanding and collaboration. The three places introduced the latest developments of their respective policy measures, including the DoJ's intensified efforts to be taken, under the leadership of the Deputy Secretary for Justice, to promote Hong Kong's legal services and collaborate with other professional service sectors to support Mainland enterprises expanding overseas.

Concluding the conference, Dr Cheung said that the meeting yielded fruitful results, demonstrating the three places' determination to jointly enhance the rule of law business environment in the GBA and leverage the unique advantages of "one country, two systems and three jurisdictions". He expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by the legal departments of the three places and looked forward to the continual deepening of co-operation in the construction of the rule of law in the GBA, providing a solid legal foundation for building a world-class bay area.

Seventh Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference advances co-operation in rule of law construction to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seventh Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference advances co-operation in rule of law construction to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seventh Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference advances co-operation in rule of law construction to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seventh Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Departments Joint Conference advances co-operation in rule of law construction to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convenes first meeting

The Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convened its first meeting today (December 10). The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing.

The Committee noted the management arrangements for the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as well as the latest progress of the support measures provided to residents and other affected persons as previously agreed. The Committee also agreed to launch a new special grant under the Fund to provide $100,000 to each of the flat owners of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Mr Cheuk said, "Since its establishment, the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has implemented various support measures to assist residents in addressing their urgent needs and rebuilding their lives, providing long-term and sustained support. The new flat owner grant will provide immediate assistance to owners of the affected flats, including those who rented out their properties."

The Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po was established on November 27, 2025, pursuant to the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1044). Donations received so far amount to about $3.1 billion. With the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the fund's total has now reached around $3.4 billion. The Fund's accounts will be submitted to the Director of Audit for audit pursuant to the requirements stipulated in the Ordinance. The Fund's report will also be tabled to the Legislative Council.

The Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, convened by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, is responsible for advising on matters such as the operation of the Fund, as well as supervising and monitoring the establishment and implementation of support measures under the Fund. The terms of reference of the Committee are:

To advise on the overall strategy, operation and procedures of the Support Fund;

To advise on the management and allocation of the Support Fund;

To oversee the usage of the Support Fund and the implementation progress of the support measures; and

To advise on other matters relating to the Support Fund.

The Committee comprises:

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (Convenor)

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs

Secretary for Labour and Welfare

Secretary for Education

Secretary for Housing

Secretary for Health

Director of Information Services

Director of Social Welfare

Director of Home Affairs

Donations made to the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po are regarded as approved charitable donations made to the Government for charitable purposes. Donors can claim and be allowed tax deductions of such donations during the relevant year of assessment. To facilitate members of the public, donations made to the Fund through bank transfer with an amount of $50,000 or below will be eligible for tax deductions without the requirement of official receipts. Donors are required to retain the relevant donation receipts for verification. The detailed arrangements will be announced on the Government's thematic website on Support Services for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po (www.taipofire.gov.hk/eng/fund.html) on Monday (December 15).

Steering Committee on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po convenes first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases