Secretary for Justice Leads Delegation to Xinjiang for Promoting Hong Kong's Legal and Professional Services

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation comprising members of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution sectors, as well as the financial and accounting sectors, to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. The delegation attended the opening ceremony of a training course organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice. They also met with leaders of Xinjiang to promote Hong Kong's legal and professional services.

Mr Lam attended the Exchange Meeting on Opportunities and Strategies for Chinese Enterprises "Going Global" and the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course organised by the Academy in the morning. He delivered his opening remarks and gave a keynote speech briefing the participants on the principle of "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's common law system.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lam said that Xinjiang serves as a pivotal gateway, connecting Mainland enterprises to Central Asia and extending their reach into Europe. In recent years, its foreign trade volume has repeatedly surpassed the RMB100 billion mark. As cross-border trade and investment become increasingly frequent, enterprises face a complex and ever-changing international landscape alongside rigorous compliance requirements, making professional legal services crucial to their overseas expansion. This practical training course was timely as it focused on the opportunities and risks associated with Chinese enterprises going global. The course covered three core themes - the unique value of the "one country, two systems" principle and Hong Kong's common law system; Hong Kong court litigation procedures and international arbitration practices; and practical issues and arbitration clauses relevant to Chinese enterprises expanding into Central Asia - all designed to help Mainland enterprises understand and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages and professional services as they navigate global markets.

Mr Lam then attended a plaque-unveiling ceremony of a partnership association set up between Urumqi, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong law firms, witnessing further exchanges and professional collaboration between the legal sectors of the two places.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam met the Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Mr Chen Xiaojiang, for a lunch meeting to brief him on the latest progress of Hong Kong's work on aligning with the country's planning. They also exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between the two places.

Mr Lam also met with the Party Secretary of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Liu Jiansheng, and the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director-General of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Naibijiang Yibulayimu, to discuss topics such as further promoting the training, exchange and co-operation of legal professionals between Xinjiang and Hong Kong, as well as how Hong Kong's professional services can assist Xinjiang enterprises in going global.

Mr Lam then visited a themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to learn more about Xinjiang's development achievements.

Mr Lam and the delegation will depart for Almaty, Kazakhstan, tomorrow (August 25) to continue their visit.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam (ninth right) and the members of the delegation with the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director-General of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Naibijiang Yibulayimu (tenth right), at a themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam (front row, fifth right) visiting a themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to learn more about Xinjiang's development achievements. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam (third right) meeting with the Party Secretary of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Liu Jiansheng (third left), and the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director-General of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Naibijiang Yibulayimu (fourth left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam (fifth right) and members of the delegation meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Mr Chen Xiaojiang (fifth left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam (sixth left) and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee Mr Chen Mingguo (fifth left) with other guests at the Exchange Meeting on Opportunities and Strategies for Chinese Enterprises "Going Global" and the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam (left) meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Mr Chen Xiaojiang (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo shows Mr Lam speaking at the Exchange Meeting on Opportunities and Strategies for Chinese Enterprises "Going Global" and the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SEE at APEC FSMM discussion session on Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture in Hangzhou

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the discussion session entitled Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture at the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou today (August 25):

Thank you Chair.

Hong Kong, China, has been actively promoting the modernisation and sustainable development of local agriculture. Our efforts focus on enhancing productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and reducing reliance on labour through technology and innovation.

To make the best use of our limited land resources, we are actively promoting the development of urban farming.

Urban farms adopt advanced facilities such as smart greenhouses or indoor cultivation systems to carry out "multi-layer farming" for year-round production, as well as high quality and fresh agricultural produce with reduced carbon footprints.

Through educational activities conducted at urban farms, the public are also provided with farming experience, thereby enhancing the quality and livability of urban life and enabling the co-development of agriculture and urbanisation.

We actively facilitate the trade to develop urban farming in a multipronged manner, with a view to driving the overall sustainable development and industrial diversification of the local agricultural sector.

Fellow APEC economies and friends, Hong Kong, China, is ready to share experiences, and collaborate with each other to advance agricultural innovation, strengthen food security, and promote shared prosperity across the region. Thank you.

Speech by SEE at APEC FSMM discussion session on Food Security Empowered by Technological Innovation and Digital Agriculture in Hangzhou Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases