Second Hong Kong Common Law Training Course Focuses on Company Law and Cross-Border Disputes

Speech by SJ at opening ceremony of second edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course - Company Law in Focus today (January 14):

Distinguished judges, ladies and gentlemen,

A very good morning. Welcome to the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course - Company Law in Focus, co-organised by the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. First, I would like to sincerely thank all of you for travelling to Hong Kong to take part in this course.

As you may know, the first edition of the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course, which was held in January last year, was the inaugural programme of the Academy. It was a resounding success that sparked meaningful exchanges between Hong Kong's common law experts and eminent judges like yourselves from the Chinese Mainland. I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Supreme People's Court for their trust and continued support, which have made this second edition of the course possible.

Building on the success of last year's training course and in consultation with the Supreme People's Court, we have refined and enhanced this edition to ensure an even more targeted and impactful experience for our participants. This year's course features four notable highlights. The first is the impressive breadth of our participants. We are very delighted to have 24 distinguished senior judges from 22 courts across the Chinese Mainland, including judges from the Supreme People's Court, and judges from 12 provinces and three direct-administered municipalities. This remarkable diversity brings together a wealth of regional insights and perspectives that will undoubtedly enrich our exchanges.

The second highlight is our dedicated focus on company law. In recent years, with the rapid development and growing complexity of business activities, cross-border company-related disputes have accounted for a significant portion of civil and commercial cases before the Chinese Mainland courts. The 2023 revision of the Company Law in the Chinese Mainland, effective from July 1, 2024, introduced important reforms in corporate governance, shareholder rights, and liquidation, drawing keen interest from judges, lawyers and businesses. As a leading international financial centre and premier business hub, Hong Kong has established a robust company law framework well suited to addressing modern challenges and has ample experience in dealing with various complex company law issues. This course offers an excellent opportunity for us to learn from each other, through practical, in-depth exploration of key areas of Hong Kong company law under the common law framework and dialogues between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland company law experts. Over the week, through lectures, dialogue sessions, interactive practices and visits, we will delve into important topics such as company structures, guarantees, and liquidation, with particular emphasis on their practical application.

The third highlight of this year's course is an exceptional lineup of moderators and speakers, comprising some of Hong Kong's most respected and experienced legal experts in the field of company law. Among them are distinguished legal scholars and experts, as well as eminent judges, all bringing with them a wealth of practical knowledge and experience in company law and Hong Kong common law system. We are deeply grateful for their generous support and contributions, which have made this course a reality and will undoubtedly make it an enlightening and rewarding experience for all participants.

The fourth highlight is that apart from the classroom experience, this course also offers valuable opportunities to experience Hong Kong's legal institutions and bodies in action, with visits to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, the High Court of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Legal Hub, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and notably, one of the newest international organisations in Hong Kong or even in the world, namely the International Organization for Mediation. Participants will also attend the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2026, which will be held next Monday, where the Chief Justice, myself, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association and the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong deliver keynote speeches focusing on upholding the rule of law amidst evolving challenges. This important annual event stands as a cornerstone of our common law tradition, where the pillars of Hong Kong's legal system gather to reflect on the past year and chart the course for future judicial directions. In addition, we have arranged cultural and exchange visits, where participants can experience Hong Kong's unique blend of heritage and modern vibrancy.

This course is a key initiative to implement the national policy of strengthening Chinese Mainland judges' ability to handle foreign-related cases, which we believe, will align closely with the priorities anticipated in the 15th Five-Year Plan to be announced in March this year. We hope that by the conclusion of this course, you will have gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Hong Kong common law, in particular company law, enabling you to navigate cross-border disputes and to draw practical parallels with the ongoing reforms in the Chinese Mainland with greater confidence. We also hope that the comparative insights and shared experiences gained throughout this course will help further refine your approaches to case handling and enhance your ability to resolve complex commercial cases in today's increasingly interconnected economy.

This course aims to foster meaningful exchanges and mutual learning, rather than one-way presentations from our speakers. As experienced judges, your perspectives and insights will undoubtedly inspire meaningful dialogue and provide valuable learning opportunities for both our speakers and fellow participants. We therefore strongly encourage you to actively share your thoughts, engage in discussions, and raise any questions that arise from your own judicial experience or areas of interest. Your active participation will be key to making this course a truly enriching and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Alongside the training course, I encourage you to take some time over the week to discover the many facets of Hong Kong - from an international legal and dispute resolution centre, to its dynamic culture and stunning scenery. I am confident that these experiences will make your stay here all the more fulfilling, memorable and inspiring.

Before closing, allow me to briefly introduce the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy. Launched in November 2024, the Academy, in collaboration with over 20 international organisations, national or local authorities and professional bodies, has organised more than 12 capacity-building training programmes in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, other parts of Asia, Europe, Latin America and beyond. The Academy will continue to make good use of Hong Kong's bilingual common law system and international status, to serve as a capacity-building, as well as a knowledge and experience-sharing platform for legal professionals in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and other jurisdictions, in particular those along the Belt and Road. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support to the Academy, and I look forward to exploring further opportunities for collaborations with the Supreme People's Court in the near future.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for your valuable participation. I wish you all a very rewarding learning experience and an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

Speech by SJ at opening ceremony of second edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases