Secretary for Justice Highlights Development of International Legal Services and Talent Nurturing at Hong Kong Legal Week 2026

Closing remarks by SJ at Hong Kong Legal Week 2026: The Fourth Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development

Following are the closing remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at Hong Kong Legal Week 2026: The Fourth Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development today (November 5):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to all of you for participating in the Fourth Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development, co-organised by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) (OCMFA) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the HKSAR, with support from the Legal Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.

This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which has placed significant emphasis on accelerating the development of the system and capacity for the rule of law in foreign affairs, improving mechanisms for international commercial mediation, arbitration, and litigation, and supporting the furtherance of the role of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). The National 15th Five-Year Plan also reaffirms the HKSAR's unique role and strengths, with a clear goal of deepening its development as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, as well as promoting it as an international hub for high-calibre talent. The unique role and strengths of the HKSAR have been thoroughly discussed and demonstrated by our keynote speakers and panel discussions this morning.

Deepening its development as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre

It is worth repeating that the HKSAR is the only common law jurisdiction within China with a robust legal framework and an independent judiciary, and a deep pool of skilled legal professionals. Over the years, we have developed the HKSAR into an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, with diversified and all-round mechanisms for resolving international disputes, including litigation, mediation and arbitration.

Litigation

During his keynote speech, the Chief Judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Jeremy Poon, highlighted the significance of international commercial litigation in the HKSAR and shared the latest developments, including the Judiciary's plan to establish the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC). Building on Hong Kong's well-established common law jurisprudence on international commercial law that is highly regarded by the international business community and foreign investors, the establishment of the HKICC represents a timely and effective response to the increasing demand for a specialised judicial platform, dedicated to handling cases involving legal and factual complexities arising from the significant growth in international and cross-border commercial activities in recent years. Capitalising on the international background of its judges who may come from different common law jurisdictions and our efficient litigation procedures, the HKICC can make significant contributions to the development of international commercial law, and further consolidate the international reputation and status of Hong Kong's common law system.

Mediation and arbitration

In the "All-Round International Dispute Resolution Hub - Hong Kong" session today, we are privileged to have the Secretary-General of the IOMed, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited and the Director of the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre with us. Through the unique lenses of their respective organisations, the distinguished speakers shared their insights and experiences on the topic from the angles of practice in international mediation, resolving investor-state disputes through mediation, as well as pathways and prospects for developing Hong Kong as a sports arbitration centre.

Under the HKSAR's First Five-Year Plan, the HKSAR Government will implement reforms to the mediation regulatory system, with a view to providing more international, inclusive and professional mediation services, and will fully support the IOMed in better fulfilling its role. In this regard, the DoJ aims to implement enhancements to the legal frameworks of mediation in the near future to streamline processes, making them more accessible and user-friendly. As for arbitration, according to a survey by Queen Mary University of London, the HKSAR is one of the most preferred arbitration seats in the world and is the most preferred seat in the Asia-Pacific region. The DoJ will also strive to enhance the arbitration legal framework by amending the Arbitration Ordinance. The consultation in this respect ended last week and my colleagues are finalising the proposed amendments.

Moreover, the DoJ is in the process of preparing for the construction of the Hong Kong International Legal Service Building to be situated next to the IOMed headquarters, which will provide state-of-the-art facilities and an environment for international legal and dispute resolution services institutions to conduct arbitration, mediation, legal talent exchanges and training, international legal conferences and research.

Nurturing a new generation of legal talent

For the sustainable development of the HKSAR as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre, ensuring a steady supply of legal talent is critical. The DoJ has been relentless in its efforts to nurture local legal talent through continuous provision of training opportunities, especially in the practice of foreign-related legal affairs.

In the "Hong Kong New Generation Legal Roundtable" session of the Legal Forum, participants of the DoJ secondment programmes to international organisations and "Belt and Road" Visits (Belt and Road Visits for Hong Kong Young International Legal Talents), our new generation of legal talent, have shared their invaluable experiences and key learning points from the secondment and visits, and explored the role that young legal talent can play in "Contributing to National Development on Foreign-Related Rule of Law".

With the strong support from the Central People's Government, the DoJ has established secondment arrangements with law-related international organisations, including the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the IOMed and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. By participating in the work of such organisations, local legal talent could gain knowledge of the operation of international organisations, broaden their horizons through working with international law experts, and inject a Hong Kong perspective when shaping the development of international law.

At the same time, the Belt and Road Visits for Hong Kong Young International Legal Talents, jointly organised by the OCMFA and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the DoJ, allow young legal professionals from Hong Kong to better understand regional legal practices and multilateral co-operation mechanisms, and to experience first-hand the fruitful outcomes of co-operation between China and the countries along the Belt and Road. It is heartening to see the fruits of our capacity-building programmes and I look forward to seeing our new generation of legal professionals taking the available opportunities to explore and learn, using their skills and talents unreservedly in contributing to China's, including the HKSAR's, development in foreign-related rule of law.

Ladies and gentlemen, as President Xi emphasised in the 18th BRICS Summit, "fairness and justice are what people aspire to, and international rules should be written jointly by all nations" (). He urged states to defend the rule of international law, uphold basic principles of international relations such as sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful settlement of disputes, and ensure that international law and rules are applied equally without double standards. At a time when geopolitical tensions and strains in economic and trade relations from unilateralism and protectionism appear to dominate world news headlines, China stands firm in its commitment to revitalising multilateralism and advancing foreign-related rule of law as a means to effectively respond to international conflicts and emerging global challenges and risks.

In keeping with this spirit, we will continue our ongoing efforts to reinforce the HKSAR's role as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre and capacity building hub, ensuring that our institutions advance with the times to meet ever-changing needs. May we all work together to chart a course towards a harmonious world based on shared values, where differences and disputes can be resolved and settled through open dialogue and in a rule-based and peaceful manner.

Last but not least, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers and participants who have made this Legal Forum a success. Thank you for joining us today. I look forward to seeing you again at the Legal Forum next year.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, delivers closing remarks at Hong Kong Legal Week 2026: The Fourth Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development today (November 5). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Court of First Instance hands down sentence in "conspiracy to commit collusion" case of Wong Chi-fung

In the case of Wong Chi-fung concerning the offence of "conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security" (contrary to Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL)), Wong Chi-fung earlier (September 2) pleaded guilty to the charge and the relevant facts of the offence, including conspiring with absconder Law Kwun-chung and others to solicit, through various means, foreign countries or external elements to impose sanctions or blockade or to engage in other hostile activities against the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and their officials. The Court of First Instance of the High Court today (November 5) sentenced Wong Chi-fung to 10 years' imprisonment.

The High Court. Photo by Bastille Post

The reasons for sentence handed down by the court ruled that the offence in this case was of a grave nature, and pointed out that at the material time, Hong Kong was confronted with the social turmoil and the serious effects of riots, and was facing very high risks to national security and the rule of law. The acts of Wong Chi-fung and others aggravated the serious predicament. They had direct engagement with top or senior officials of foreign countries, and continued to promote the calls for sanctions through their own social media accounts and via prominent news media or outlets in the West, reaching both local and international audiences. Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung were the masterminds of the case and the advocates at the forefront calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions and hostile measures. After the implementation of the HKNSL, they persisted in acts endangering national security and deliberately adapted their respective roles, yet their roles were equally crucial. They indeed contributed to the imposition of sanctions and hostile measures by foreign countries, and such sanctions and measures significantly impacted upon and endangered national security.

Wong Chi-fung. Photo source: reference image

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, stated, "Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and their accomplices are among the primary culprits responsible for undermining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. They began by obstructing the HKSAR Government's efforts to promote national education in an attempt to weaken the national identity of the youth, followed by setting up radical organisations, inciting students to engage in unlawful acts, and advocating the notions of 'Hong Kong independence' and 'self-determination'. They further fuelled the 'black-clad violence' and the Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution' in 2019, committing a multitude of egregious misdeeds. Wong Chi-fung has repeatedly broken the law, including organising, taking part in, and inciting others to take part in unauthorised assemblies, unlawful assemblies, and contempt of court, demonstrating his utter disregard for the law. Before the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and others persistently colluded with foreign countries or external elements, actively lobbied the United States to pass so-called legislation concerning Hong Kong, and openly solicited foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR."

"Following the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and their accomplices showed no repentance and continued to act as agents of foreign countries and external forces, wantonly persisting in conspiring to collude with foreign countries or external forces to endanger national security, in a vain attempt to exert pressure on the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government through external forces, betraying Hong Kong while remaining incorrigible. Furthermore, Wong Chi-fung participated in the 'Project 35+', conspiring to subvert state power. Such acts constituted extremely serious offences, which not only severely undermined national sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also directly prejudiced the well-being of the general public and the stability of society."

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "In the face of overwhelming facts and evidence, it was impossible for Wong Chi-fung to deny his wrongdoing and so he could only plead guilty, serving as a powerful deterrent to all those attempting to collude with external forces and undermine national interests. The court handed down a heavy sentence on Wong Chi-fung, which completely shattered the illusion of individuals endangering national security that they could escape liability under the guise of so-called 'international battlefront' or 'international advocacy', and demonstrated to the international community the HKSAR's firm determination to safeguard national security. This sentence demonstrates that the case, involving external forces, is of a grave nature and warrants a deterrent sentence. In addition, the Government will forfeit Wong Chi-fung's offence-related property in accordance with the law."

Following the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and their accomplices showed no repentance and continued to act as agents of foreign countries and external forces, wantonly persisting in conspiring to collude with foreign countries or external forces to endanger national security. Photo source: online image

The spokesman pointed out, "The HKSAR Government has noticed that various western countries, anti-China organisations, politicians and foreign media have launched malicious attacks and smears on various cases including this case, openly exerting pressure to demand the release of certain defendants who have been convicted and sentenced by the court in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government has stated on many occasions that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. All cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts and activities is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. In the present case, in face of overwhelming facts and evidence, Wong Chi-fung chose to plead guilty, reflecting the sufficiency of evidence gathered by the Police to apprehend based on which the Department of Justice prosecuted offenders endangering national security in accordance with the law. The court set out the relevant reasons in detail when delivering the sentence, which reflects that Wong Chi-fung was sentenced under fair and open judicial proceedings, and fully demonstrates the rule of law that the courts of the HKSAR have always upheld."

Photo source: reference image

The spokesman stressed, "It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR Government to safeguard national security, and the Government is determined and will continue to resolutely combat and pursue those anti-China and destabilising elements as well as agents of external forces. We will ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security."