Hong Kong Delegation Visits Korea to Study University Town Development Models for Northern Metropolis Project

2026-04-21 19:03 Last Updated At：21:03

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Korea (with photos/video)

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to commence a four-day visit to Korea today (April 21). The delegation will conduct on-site visits to study the development models and practical experiences of local university towns, with a view to providing a solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

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CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to commence visit to Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The delegation first met with the Ambassador for International Relations of Sejong City Government, Mr Lee Ho-shik, to learn about the local development of shared university campuses, as well as the experiences of industry-academia-research integration and talent attraction. They also exchanged views on deepening co-operation in the education field between the two places.

Mr Chan said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is actively developing the NMUT, with the aim of establishing it as an international education and innovation and technology hub. He expressed hope that through the visit, the delegation could draw on Sejong's successful experience in building a multi-university ecosystem and learn from its experiences, considerations and insights in campus planning, shared facility management, talent attraction strategies, and the creation of a university community that drives innovation and economic growth. He also hoped the visit would promote exchanges and co-operation in the education sector between the two places.

Afterwards, the delegation visited the Sejong Common Campus. Officially opened in 2024, the campus houses a number of Korea's top-tier universities, including Seoul National University, Chungbuk National University, Chungnam National University, Hanbat National University and the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management. The delegation toured institutions and facilities, including a shared academic and cultural support centre. They also met with the Chairman of the Sejong Common Campus Foundation, Mr Han Seog-soo, to gain an in-depth understanding of the campus's operation and planning.

Mr Chan said that the Sejong Common Campus created an integrated, open and collaborative ecosystem with multiple institutions, which is innovative and forward-looking in higher education development. Meanwhile, the campus has integrated education, technology and talent development, achieving results in sustainable and smart campus development, deep integration of industry, academia and research, as well as the establishment of an entrepreneurship ecosystem. Mr Chan hoped to bring the successful experience from Sejong back to Hong Kong, helping the city build a more innovative, sustainable and vibrant NMUT that effectively integrates education, research and industry, while continuing to promote deeper exchanges and co-operation in the education sector between the two places.

Mr Chan, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and other members of the delegation will proceed to Daejeon tomorrow (April 22) to continue the visit.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Engages with Beijing Officials on Legal Cooperation and Arbitration Opportunities

SJ calls on central ministries and authorities in Beijing

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, called on the Supreme People's Court and central ministries respectively in Beijing for two consecutive days to discuss and exchange views on the progress and work of the key policy initiatives of the Department of Justice (DoJ).

In the morning today (April 21), Mr Lam visited the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Beijing Representative Office to learn about how the office assists the HKIAC in further developing the Mainland market following its establishment in Beijing. The opportunities brought about by the revised Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China were also discussed.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council to discuss opportunities for co-operation in areas such as capacity building programmes and talent training between the two sides.

Mr Lam also met with Vice Minister of Justice Ms Wu Zeng to discuss issues relating to legal matters concerning the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), including "allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong", the development of the GBA lawyers' scheme, and the co-operation between Mainland and Hong Kong law firms.

In the morning yesterday (April 20), Mr Lam called on the Supreme People's Court to meet with the President of the Supreme People's Court, Mr Zhang Jun. They discussed the mutual legal assistance arrangements and training for foreign-related legal talent between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Mainland.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam called on the Ministry of Commerce. He introduced to Deputy China International Trade Representative Mr Jiang Chenghua the DoJ's measures to strengthen Hong Kong's professional services sectors in supporting Mainland enterprises going global, and ways to encourage Mainland enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law as the applicable law while expanding overseas and to choose Hong Kong as the destination for dispute resolution.

During the meeting with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Hua Chunying, both sides exchanged views on issues such as supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the DoJ in collaborating with international legal organisations and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.

Accompanying Mr Lam on the visit were the Law Officer (International Law), Dr James Ding; the Solicitor General, Mr Llewellyn Mui; the Law Officer (Civil Law), Mr Clifford Tavares, and government counsel from various legal divisions.

Mr Lam will continue his visit to Beijing tomorrow (April 22).

Hong Kong Delegation Visits Korea to Study University Town Development Models for Northern Metropolis Project

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