Hong Kong Launches International Legal Talents Training Academy to Nurture Global Legal Professionals

Speech by SJ at launch of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy (with photo/video)

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the launch of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy under Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 today (November 8):

Vice-Minister Mr Wang Zhenjiang (Vice-Minister of Justice), Commissioner Cui (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Cui Jianchun), the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Songmiao, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. Today marks a milestone as we embark on a new journey to nurture legal talents in Hong Kong, China as a whole, and countries along the Belt and Road, as well as across the globe. The ceremony today has been graced by the presence of so many distinguished guests from home and abroad. I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you, witnessing together the launch of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy.

I have to confess that I am rather excited and also emotional today. This is because the establishment of the Academy is very much my brainchild. Its gestation, from conception to delivery, lasted for more than a year. I am thrilled to see the birth of a healthy and energetic baby full of potential today.

The initiative to establish the Academy was first mentioned in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address. To take forward this initiative, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee were set up on October 8 this year. I am very pleased that Dr Yang Ling, a renowned scholar in international legal and dispute resolution with extensive management experience, has agreed to take up the post of Director of the Office. On the other hand, the Expert Committee consists of three advisory boards, namely the International Advisory Board, the Mainland Advisory Board and the Hong Kong Advisory Board. We are truly honoured that 17 distinguished legal experts specialising in a wide range of legal subjects from different jurisdictions have agreed to be the founding members of the Expert Committee.

The Expert Committee has just held its first Plenary Meeting yesterday, during which expert members shared their professional insights and experiences, and offered valuable advice, in different areas. Some of the eminent experts from overseas have graciously taken the time to come all the way from places as far as, for example, Europe to Hong Kong to join us at the Hong Kong Legal Week and today in the launching ceremony. I thank all of you for your unwavering support.

As foreshadowed in the Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address announced a few weeks ago, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy is officially launched today.

The Academy seeks to capitalise on Hong Kong's unique strengths and advantages made possible by the "one country, two systems" principle as the only bilingual common law system, using both English and Chinese, with international characteristics, which always enjoy a high reputation around the world. It will serve as a capacity building, as well as knowledge and experience sharing, platform for legal professionals in Hong Kong, the Mainland and other countries, in particular those along the Belt and Road.

Insofar as Hong Kong legal professionals are concerned, they are likely to be both teachers and students of the Academy. I am a strong believer in the saying, in Chinese "教學相長", which means when you teach someone, both the teacher and the student will benefit. Insofar as our country China is concerned, the establishment of the Academy is indeed extremely timely because, in the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted on July 18, 2024, there is a specific section on strengthening the rule of law in foreign-related affairs by, among other things, the training of legal professionals for foreign-related affairs. Turning to friends from other countries, in particular those along the modern Belt and Road, as the Belt and Road Initiative has just entered into its second decade this year, it is clearly essential for us to strengthen our legal capabilities jointly to ensure that our future co-operation will be based on a solid foundation of the rule of law.

The child is born today. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to bring him up together. Although this child's genetic parent is Hong Kong, he is meant to be a child belonging not just to Hong Kong, but also China as a whole and friends around the world. It is in our common interest to see this child growing up wisely, strongly and happily.

Thank you very much.

Speech by SJ at launch of Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy (with photo/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG responds to reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under HKHRDA incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025

​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects US' reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

A spokesman for the Government said, "In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US has exposed its double standards by pointing the finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security."

"The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The offences endangering national security stipulated by the related Ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity, aiming at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts and activities of endangering national security. It targets only an extremely small minority of people without affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents."

He said, "The US openly clamour for so-called 'sanctions' with an aim to intimidate HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. The HKSAR despises the so-called 'sanctions' and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security."

The HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We have long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions. At the same time, the HKSAR Government has been implementing a comprehensive and robust control regime over the import and export of strategic commodities and maintaining active participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People's Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners and internationally.

The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Currently, some 1 390 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies.

The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.