Hong Kong Legal Delegation Visits Guangdong to Strengthen Cooperation and Explore Opportunities in Greater Bay Area

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, leading a Hong Kong delegation of over 30 representatives of foreign-related legal talent from Hong Kong, began his visit to the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) today (December 5). The delegation comprises office bearers of the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association, as well as representatives from local, international and registered foreign law firms, including various non-Chinese lawyers and GBA Lawyers. Upon arrival at the first stop of the visit, Guangzhou, the delegation visited the People's Government of Guangdong Province and met with representatives from the local legal and business sectors.

In the morning, Mr Lam called on the People's Government of Guangdong Province and met with Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Liu Guozhou. A meeting was held between the two sides, and was joined by the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Guangdong Province to learn about the latest developments in Guangdong Province and the GBA. They also exchanged views on the opportunities for further co-operation between the Hong Kong legal sector, and the Mainland authorities, legal and business sectors.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam and the delegation held discussions with representatives from the Guangdong legal and business sectors, including the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee, the Guangdong Lawyers Association, the Guangdong Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment and the Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce. Through exchanges on common practical issues, the two sides explored foreign-related legal issues relevant to Guangdong enterprises going global, including corporate finance and the handling of foreign-related commercial disputes, and shared practical experiences in tackling those issues. The participants also explored how law firms in both places can further co-operate and provide high-quality legal services to jointly contribute to the construction of the country's foreign-related rule of law.

In the evening, Mr Lam and the delegation will visit one of the heritage revitalisation and conservation projects in Guangzhou, the Shamian Cluster, which is a national heritage conservation unit listed by the State Council.

Mr Lam and his delegation will depart for Shenzhen tomorrow (December 6) to continue their GBA visit.

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads delegation of Hong Kong foreign-related legal talent to Guangzhou to begin visit to Mainland cities of GBA 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.