Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan began his Europe visit programme in Rome, Italy, to strengthen the collaborative relationship between Hong Kong and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).

Mr Cheung first called on Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Italy Jia Guide.

He thanked the embassy for its long-standing support for the Department of Justice (DoJ) in seeking more international legal and dispute resolution institutions to set up offices in Hong Kong. He added that as the only common law jurisdiction, Hong Kong would proactively assist in the country's foreign-related legal affairs.

Mr Cheung then met Secretary-General of UNIDROIT Prof Ignacio Tirado and the organisation’s management to discuss more collaboration opportunities between the institute and Hong Kong. Both sides deliberated on the possible theme of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Private International Law Summit, such as digital assets.

During the meeting, they talked about deepening collaboration between UNIDROIT and Hong Kong, including having agreed to explore the setting up of a liaison office in Hong Kong, which will help the institute to promote its work in the Asia-Pacific region on the one hand, and further enhance the city's status as the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region on the other.

Later in the day, Mr Cheung attended a conference co-organised by UNIDROIT and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Italy for local businesses and legal communities on promoting cross-border investment through transnational legal standards.

While delivering a keynote speech at the conference, Mr Cheung emphasised that Hong Kong will fully leverage its unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under “one country, two systems” in better integrating into the country's overall development.

He also highlighted Hong Kong's strong legal foundation and institutional advantages which would facilitate international investment and trade.

Moreover, Mr Cheung briefed the participants on the latest situation of the implementation of the National Security Law in the city, particularly on how it has restored social order and safety, and provided better protection to foreign enterprises.

He said he was pleased to learn that other speakers invited by UNIDROIT, including representatives of local business sectors, expressed confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law and spoke highly of its legal system which is conducive to trade development.

Mr Cheung also seized the opportunity to try to persuade several international law interns of UNIDROIT who were being trained there to come and work in Hong Kong after completing their studies. He received an encouraging response.

UNIDROIT aims to modernise, harmonise and co-ordinate private and in particular commercial law between states and to formulate uniform law instruments, principles and rules for such purposes. The memorandum of understanding signed between UNIDROIT and the DoJ last year laid a strong foundation for further collaboration in the area of private international law.

Mr Cheung will depart for Vienna, Austria, today to continue his visit.