A senior Beijing official in Hong Kong has urged the city’s legal professionals to act as “envoys” in promoting its rule of law, and to seize the chance to become a dispute resolution centre for China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Liu Guangyuan, deputy director of the central government’s Liaison Office, said Hong Kong should leverage its unique advantages as the sole common law jurisdiction in China and provide cross-border dispute resolution services for Belt and Road countries.
Liu was speaking at a forum organised by the Law Society of Hong Kong, a professional body for the city’s lawyers, to mark the 10th anniversary of the initiative.
“The legal sector in Hong Kong is an important participant, contributor and beneficiary in the Belt and Road Initiative,” Liu told guests in Mandarin.
“It should actively engage in international exchanges, serving as envoys to tell a good story of Hong Kong’s rule of law, and to polish its gold-lettered signboard.”
Liu, formerly Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong, also told the sector to firmly uphold the Chinese constitution and the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, in defending the city’s constitutional order.
“Making use of the rule of law and optimising the business environment are important ways for Hong Kong to contribute to the Belt and Road project,” he added.
Speaking at the same event on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee said China’s 14th Five-Year Plan’s supported Hong Kong’s development as a centre for dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific.
Lee also said that his administration fully supports a White Paper published by China’s State Council that summarises the development of the decade-long infrastructure project.
According to the white paper, the Belt and Road Initiative has generated more than US$ 2 trillion (HK$15 trillion) in contracts in more than 130 countries.
“Hong Kong has a clear and compelling role to play in helping to realise peace and prosperity throughout the Belt and Road,” Lee said.
Anniversary of Belt and Road Initiative
Hong Kong held its 8th Belt and Road Summit last month to mark the 10th anniversary of the initiative, one of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policies.
Supporters of the strategy say it will help boost trade and raise gross domestic product in participating nations. Critics, however, have called it a Trojan horse designed to increase China’s influence.
During the event, the government paid for visits by 15 journalists from Asia and Europe as part of efforts to promote a “favourable image of Hong Kong” internationally and in mainland China.
In Beijing, the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held from October 17-18. Xi is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
LATEST FROM HKFP
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.
