包括三大國際私法組織高層在內的國際法律界翹楚聚首香港，出席一連五日的「香港法律周」活動。這是香港繼成功舉辦金融峰會、國際七人欖球賽之後的又一國際盛事。香港回來了，重新回到了世界舞台的中心，活力澎湃，動感十足，特別是國際法律界對香港法治的高度認可和支持，證明香港法治根基堅如磐石。只要我們堅定信心，用好國家支持，發揮好自身獨特優勢，必定能開創新的發展局面。
海牙國際私法會議秘書長Christophe Bernasconi接受大公報記者採訪，高度推崇香港擁有非常專業和訓練有素的法律專業人員，海牙會議從中受益良多。「一方面，在關於國際公約和實務的談判中，香港一直是中國代表團的一部分，我們一直聽到香港的聲音，並且重視香港的聲音；另一方面，我們和律政司達成協議，香港派出專業的法律人員到海牙的總部工作，當中有執業律師，他們的經驗和專長都讓我們受益。」他強調，香港提供的區域元素和對區內的了解，「為我們在區內發展提供了很多便利。」
香港實現撥亂反正，如今正走向由治及興的新時代，國際反華勢力開動宣傳機器，瘋狂抹黑香港，攻擊香港法治。國際法律界名人迎着逆風聚首香港，既是對法律正義的堅持，也是看好中國，看好香港。世界重心向亞太轉移，中國作為全球第二大經濟體，發展勢頭不可阻擋，粵港澳大灣區和「一帶一路」建設，為大家提供巨大機遇，大量商業交易需要法律提供的確定性和穩定性，大量爭議和分歧的出現意味着對仲裁和調解服務需求的增加。香港作為中國境內唯一實施普通法的區域，角色不可替代。
香港早就為國際社會提供法律和爭端調解服務。以香港國際仲裁中心為例，2019年受理503起案件，爭議金額達364億港元，80%為國際案件；2020年受理483起案件，爭議金額688億港元，72%為國際案件；2021年，受理514起案件，爭議金額546億元，81%為國際案件。這還不是香港處理國際爭議案件的全貌，事實上，越來越多國際私法機構在香港設立分支機構，海牙國際私法會議在全球設有兩個辦公室，其中一個在香港。正如Christophe Bernasconi所指出，「更多國際組織落戶香港，為國際法律樞紐增光添彩」、「國際法律組織與香港的結合，是成功的方程式」，香港的優勢日益彰顯。
香港作為區域法律和解決爭議中心的角色，在國家的大力支持下，正在不斷增強。國家「十四五」規劃支持香港發展「八大中心」，其中一個是亞太區國際法律及解決爭議中心。中共二十大報告指出，深化香港同各國各地區更加開放、更加密切的交往合作。國家對香港的定位及提供的機遇，我們必須好好把握。令人鼓舞的是，由中國和多個國家共同發起的國際仲裁院，將是世界上首個處理國家間爭議的仲裁平台，該籌備辦公室設在香港，再次體現了中央的支持和關愛。
香港法律周的成功舉行，彰顯了香港背靠祖國、聯通世界的獨特優勢。正如行政長官李家超昨日所指出，法律周將鞏固香港作為法律中心的地位。隨着香港穩控疫情，不斷推進復常，香港各方面將得到更大的發展，香港區域法律中心地位也必將不斷強化。
With a solid foundation of the rule of law, Hong Kong has bright prospects by bringing its advantages into play
Prominent figures of the international legal profession including high-level officials from the three major international private law organisations gather together in the SAR to attend a five-day Hong Kong Legal Week. This is yet another international event following the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit and the Hong Kong Sevens. Hong Kong is back, back to the centre of the world arena, full of vigour and dynamics. In particular, the international legal profession's deep appreciation of and support for Hong Kong's rule of law proves the foundation of the rule of law in the SAR is as solid as rocks. As long as we proceed with confidence, make good use of our Motherland's support and bring our unique advantages into play, Hong Kong is bound to create a new phase of development.
In an interview with Ta Kung Pao, Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), highly praised Hong Kong for owning very professional and well trained legal professionals, from which HCCH benefits a lot. "On the one hand, in negotiations involving international conventions and practical matters, Hong Kong always is part of the Chinese delegation, so we always hear and pay attention to Hong Kong's voice; on the other hand, we have reached an agreement with the Department of Justice for Hong Kong to send legal professionals to work in our headquarters in Hague. Among them there are practicing lawyers, and we benefit from their experiences and expertise." He stressed that the regional factors provided by Hong Kong and its understanding of the region "facilitate and convenience our development in the region a great deal."
Having brought order out of chaos, Hong Kong is now embarking on the new journey from stability to prosperity. Starting their propaganda machines to madly smear Hong Kong, international anti-China forces attack the rule of law in the SAR. Against the evil wind, well-known figures of the international legal profession have come and gathered in Hong Kong. This shows not only their adherence to legal justice but also their belief in the good prospects of China and Hong Kong. The focus of the world is shifting to Asia-Pacific. As the world's second largest economy, China's development momentum is unstoppable. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Belt and Raid Initiative offer enormous opportunities. A large number of commercial deals need certainty and stability provided by laws, and emergence of a large number of disputes and differences is meant an increase in demand for arbitration and mediation services. Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China and as such its role is irreplaceable.
Hong Kong has since long ago been providing legal and dispute resolution services for the international community. Taking the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) for example, in 2019, it handled 503 cases with the total amount in dispute reaching $36.4 billion and 80 per cent of the cases being international in nature; in 2020, it handled 483 cases with the total amount in dispute reaching $68.8 billion and 72 per cent of the cases being international in nature; in 2021, it handled 514 cases with the total amount in dispute reaching $54.6 billion and 81 per cent the cases being international in nature. Yet this is not the whole picture of Hong Kong handling cases of international disputes. Actually, more and more private international law organisations have set branches in Hong Kong. HCCH has two offices globally, one of them is in Hong Kong. As Christophe Bernasconi pointed out, "More international organisations have settled down in Hong Kong, which adds lustre to this international legal hub", and "international legal organisations teaming with Hong Kong is a successful equation", which increasingly highlights Hong Kong's advantages.
With strong support of the Motherland, Hong Kong keeps enhancing its role as a regional hub for dispute resolution. The national 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong to develop itself into "eight hubs", one of which being an international legal and dispute resolution hub in Asia-Pacific. The Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) stresses on deepening Hong Kong's more open and closer exchange and cooperation with other countries and other regions. We must cherish and hold on to the positioning and opportunities provided to Hong Kong by our country. It is inspiring that the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) jointly initiated by China and other countries will be the first platform in the world to provide mediation services for international disputes. The IOMed Preparatory Office is established in Hong Kong, which once again shows the Central Government's support and care for Hong Kong.
The successful convening of Hong Kong Legal Week highlights Hong Kong's unique advantage of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world. As pointed out by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu yesterday, the Legal Week will consolidate Hong Kong's status as a legal hub. As Hong Kong stabilises epidemic control and keeps pressing on along the path to normalcy, greater development is expected in various sectors and Hong Kong's status as a regional legal hub is bound to be enhanced steadily.
