Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy Concludes

Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026 of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy concludes

The Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, concluded today (August 22). This two-day course, organised by the Academy specifically for local legal and dispute resolution practitioners, aimed to deepen the local sector's understanding of the Chinese Mainland's civil and commercial legal system, practical operation, and latest developments, while fostering professional exchange and experience-sharing between the Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. The course attracted over 400 registrations.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, noted that, as the country continues to advance high-level opening up, there is a substantial increase in the demand for cross-border legal services. He said that the Hong Kong legal sector requires more talent equipped with knowledge of, and practical capabilities in, cross-border civil and commercial law. This course directly addressed such pressing need, and is of importance in promoting legal exchange and co-operation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, and enhancing the standard of legal services.

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, said that as arbitration services in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong are developing rapidly, Hong Kong will fully leverage its institutional and professional services strengths, and support the Chinese Mainland and overseas arbitration institutions in expanding their international operations and establishing branches in Hong Kong. These efforts will help attract high-calibre arbitration professionals, further enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre.

After running the inagural Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course in 2025, the course this year focused on a range of key areas of civil and commercial law practice in the Chinese Mainland. Lectures covered topics including mutual legal assistance arrangements in civil and commercial matters, arbitration in the Chinese Mainland, and investment protection agreements. In addition, two thematic panel discussions examined, from different perspectives, the evolving landscape and challenges Chinese enterprises face in their overseas development, as well as the development in international investment arbitration, further enhancing the Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution sectors' understanding of the Chinese Mainland civil and commercial legal system and the relevant practical operation. Speakers included senior judges from the Supreme People's Court and other courts in the Chinese Mainland, representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Commerce, experienced legal professionals from Hong Kong and overseas, representatives of Chinese enterprises, and arbitration experts, providing participants with a valuable platform for practical exchange.

The Academy will continue organising targeted training programmes to strengthen the understanding of the Chinese Mainland legal system and its practical developments. It will also promote exchange and collaboration among legal and dispute resolution professionals in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, thereby consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, supporting its development as a legal capacity-building hub, and contributing more effectively to the country's development of foreign-related rule of law.

The Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, concluded today (August 22). Photo shows the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, delivering his remarks at the closing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy organised the Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026. Photo shows the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan (first row, fifth right); Co-Chair of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Mr Victor Dawes, SC (first row, centre); Legislative Council Member Ms Maggie Chan (first row, third right); the Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office of the Department of Justice, Dr Yang Ling (first row, second right), with other guests at the closing ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy organised the Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026. Photo shows the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (centre); Deputy Director General of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court Ms Si Yanli (sixth left); Co-Chair of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Mr Victor Dawes, SC (sixth right); Legislative Council Member Ms Maggie Chan (fifth left); the Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office of the Department of Justice, Dr Yang Ling (first left), with other guests at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Mainland Civil and Commercial Legal Practice Training Course 2026, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, was officially launched today (August 21). Photo shows the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CS at Carnival of Care and Harmony

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Carnival of Care and Harmony today (August 23):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you today at this Carnival of Care and Harmony.

This warm and vibrant gathering reminds me of everything that makes Hong Kong a truly multicultural metropolis - its energy, its openness and its spirit that welcomes everyone. For generations, people of diverse ethnic backgrounds have called this city home.

Yet we recognise that while Hong Kong belongs to everyone, our friends from non-ethnic Chinese communities may still encounter challenges in their daily lives, whether language barriers, cultural differences or simply for not always being fully understood. That is why we are committed to taking action.

Government bureaux and departments are dedicated to providing a wide range of support services to help ethnic minorities integrate more fully into society and realise their potential so that Hong Kong can truly become a home for all.

Since assuming office, the current-term Government has been steadily enhancing these services and introducing new initiatives to support our multi-ethnic communities.

In 2024, for example, we established two additional Support Service Centres, bringing the total to 10. These centres are strategically located in districts with larger ethnic minority populations. They run many programmes and activities to help community members engage more deeply with Hong Kong life.

To enhance services, we have also set up "Ethnic Minority Care Teams" within each Support Service Centre. Each team is led by a social worker, supported by programme workers and volunteers who are familiar with the languages and cultures of the communities they serve.

Through proactive outreach - including home visits and community activities - they connect with ethnic minorities in need, assisting with everyday challenges and providing timely support during emergencies or unexpected incidents. During typhoons, for example, these teams share weather updates through their community networks, accompany those in need to temporary shelters and check on elderly individuals living alone to ensure they receive proper care.

In just over two years, these teams have reached some 18 000 ethnic minority households. That is real impact.

Moreover, as announced in last year's Policy Address, each Support Service Centre has now established a "Youth Network" and a "Women's Network".

The Youth Network offers a platform for young people to connect with one another and with the wider community, including through exchange visits to the Chinese Mainland, which deepen their understanding of Chinese history and culture.

The Women's Network, meanwhile, aims to encourage social inclusion and encourage greater community participation among ethnic minority women.

Looking ahead, we will continue our efforts to support our non-ethnic Chinese friends to better integrate into our society and create more opportunities for everyone.

I wish you all a very enjoyable carnival and a fruitful afternoon of information sharing, performances, fun and games!

Let us join hands and build an even more caring and harmonious Hong Kong.

Now, I would like to say a few words in Cantonese.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the speech.)

Source: AI-found images

Speech by CS at Carnival of Care and Harmony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CS at Carnival of Care and Harmony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CS at Carnival of Care and Harmony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CS at Carnival of Care and Harmony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images