Co-operation between the legal sectors of Hong Kong and Henan will help enterprises in the province capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Belt & Road Initiative.
Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen made the comment in Henan today, attending a signing ceremony of memoranda of understanding on co-operation of lawyers and arbitrators in Hong Kong and Henan.
He said co-operation will enhance the provision of international legal and dispute resolution to local enterprises. There will also be opportunities for exchanges between lawyers of both places.
He said the initiative will drive economic development of places along the Belt & Road, and generate demand for legal and dispute resolution services.
"To capitalise on the opportunities brought about by the Belt & Road Initiative, Hong Kong and Henan can further widen the scope of co-operation on top of the existing close economic partnership to achieve a win-win situation."
He said the importance of international legal and dispute resolution services is clear. Enterprises need professionals to help them prepare for legal risk management as complex business regulations and issues such as cross-boundary business disputes are inevitable along their Belt-Road quests.
Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages under "one country, two systems", and its common law legal system and judicial independence are well-recognised by the international community, he added.
Mr Yuen also met with Henan Vice Governor Zhao Jiancai.
He will return to Hong Kong tonight.
