The signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) will be held in Hong Kong on Friday, which will be of extraordinary historical significance for the world, for the country and for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said on Thursday.
Chinese culture has always valued harmony with the goal of achieving universal harmony, and the convention is the result of the joint efforts of China and nearly 20 like-minded countries in concluding the negotiations that have been held since 2022, Lam said, noting that the establishment of IOMed demonstrates China's development concept of building win-win relationships and constructing a global community of shared future with other countries.
Apart from the opportunity to leverage Hong Kong's traditional strengths in international commercial dispute resolution services and to gain economic benefits brought about by the provision of such services, more importantly, it will enhance Hong Kong's international status and profile, thereby creating a magnet effect in attracting people from all walks of life to visit Hong Kong and participate in various activities, Lam said.
On Friday, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the signing ceremony of the convention in Hong Kong, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
In a Q&A session at the Legislative Council on Thursday, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said the establishment of IOMed not only demonstrates Hong Kong's strengths and capabilities in international mediation but also enhances its international status and further promotes global exchanges and cooperation, local news outlet RTHK reported.
The establishment of IOMed indicates that China's principle of "peace is the most precious" in resolving international conflicts and disputes has been widely recognized and supported, while the credibility of those international "courts" dominated by the West that often resort to legal proceedings or arbitration and embody the "zero-sum game" creed has been declining, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times on Thursday.
"It also reflects the further enhancement of China's soft power and its determination to work with the Global South countries to promote the construction of a new international order, highlighting the importance of Hong Kong as an international dispute resolution center, the high level of Hong Kong's legal system, and the unique contribution that Hong Kong can make to the country under the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy," Lau said.
Lawmaker and National People's Congress delegate Priscilla Leung said at the Q&A sessions on Thursday that the establishment and operation of IOMed falls under the purview of the state, and it is recommended that the HKSAR nominate legal experts to the central government, including those from different legal systems, to support this initiative.
Given the diversity of legal systems within the Greater Bay Area, the region should actively participate in the formulation of rules for the national mediation body, Leung noted.
Under the framework of "One Country, Two Systems," the HKSAR enjoys unique advantages in its legal system. Firstly, judicial cooperation arrangements between Hong Kong and the mainland ensure effective integration with the legal order of the mainland, maintaining continuity in the broader legal framework. Secondly, Hong Kong retains a high degree of compatibility with the common law system, enabling seamless alignment with international legal norms, Guangdong Provincial CPPCC member and senior barrister Wu Yingpeng told the Global Times on Thursday.
The decision by the initiating countries to establish IOMed in Hong Kong is of great significance. It not only reflects the international community's broad recognition of the Eastern philosophy of harmony and the powerful appeal and influence of traditional Chinese cultural wisdom in global affairs, but also affirms the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong and demonstrates strong confidence in Hong Kong's legal and judicial systems, Wu said.
Moreover, it represents a collective endorsement of HKSAR as a hub for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia Pacific, further solidifying its important status in the global legal landscape, Wu added.
In a recent interview with RTHK, Secretary for Justice Lam revealed that the IOMed will be capable of handling three main categories of disputes including those between states; between a state and individuals from another country; and international commercial disputes, which may involve entities from different countries, such as corporations.
However, the final scope of the institute's jurisdiction will only be confirmed after the official text of the convention is released, Lam said.
There is currently no dedicated international institution focused on resolving disputes through mediation. The establishment of IOMed will fill this crucial gap, with its role in mediation being akin to that of an international court in judicial proceedings, Lam said.
(Cover Image: Nanfang Daily)
