Secretary for Justice Paul Lam will lead a 40-member cross-professional delegation to Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan tomorrow to strengthen legal and professional service co-operation.

Co-organised with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the visit aims to promote Hong Kong's roles as a bridge between the Chinese Mainland and the global market, showcasing its professional services.

The delegation includes Commissioner for Belt & Road Nicholas Ho, alongside representatives from the HKTDC, Invest Hong Kong, the Financial Services Development Council, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and local and international law firms. Financial and accounting professionals are also part of the group.

In Urumqi, Xinjiang, on August 24, Mr Lam will attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course, organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy. He will also meet local officials.

The delegation will then visit Almaty, Kazakhstan, from August 25 to 26 to attend the “Collaborate2Win” seminar, co-organised by the HKTDC and the Department of Justice, to network with local legal and business representatives.

Afterwards, the delegation will depart for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to meet local officials and study the development of the local legal services industry.

Mr Lam will return to Hong Kong on August 30. Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan will be Acting Secretary for Justice during his absence.