Chinese mainland and Hong Kong have been benefited from the implementation of the principle of "One Country, Two Systems," by exchanging views, according to legal and judicial officials in Hong Kong Wednesday (Nov. 10).

Hong Kong Chief Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li and the Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung jointly hosted a reception at the Hong Kong Government House to welcome Chief Justice Xiao Yang, also President of Supreme People's Court.

Andrew Kwok-nang Li said that, since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Hong Kong people have ruled Hong Kong by themselves and enjoyed a high degree of autonomy under the concept of "One Country, Two Systems".

"Although Hong Kong and the mainland practice different judicial systems, it is very important for the two sides to have more exchanges, communication and understanding," said Li.

So far, the Hong Kong Judiciary has received 53 visiting delegations from various courts and judges' associations from the mainland involving more than 750 members. At the same time, more than 120 Hong Kong judges and judicial officers have attended training courses at the Qinghua University and visited courts in the mainland.

Elsie Leung said at the reception that the success of the implementation of the concept of "One Country, Two Systems" is no means a firewall between the "Two Systems". It has enhanced mutual understanding of the "Two Systems", mutual respects and non-intervention.

Xiao Yang said that in the past seven years, exchanges and co-operation in economic, cultural and technological areas between the mainland and Hong Kong have been strengthened.

Xiao Yang is leading a judicial delegation here aiming at exchanging views with their Hong Kong counterparts.

"I have great pleasure to tell you that two judicial documents, namely, the arrangement for mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings and the arrangement for the mutual enforcement of arbitral awards, have already been concluded," said Xiao.

He said that consultations concerning an arrangement on mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters between the two places are also well under way.

Xiao hoped that the arrangement can be signed and implemented in the near future. Consultations on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between the two places are being held.

Editor: Olivia