Hong Kong should uphold the authority of both the national constitution and its own charter while acting as a super-connector between China and the rest of the world against a backdrop of global instability caused by “unilateral and protectionist acts”, the country’s top diplomat in the city has told a legal forum.
Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong, on Monday also said the country was committed to defending the international rule of law against “hegemony and poor politics” while promoting multilateralism.
His speech came amid an escalation in the US-China tech war, with Washington imposing further sanctions last month, restricting the export of more key technologies and hi-tech items, including “advanced computing chips”. Hong Kong’s legal system has also been in the hot seat, with some Western countries questioning its dedication to upholding rights and freedom.
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Liu was speaking at Hong Kong Legal Week 2022, an annual forum hosted by Hong Kong’s Department of Justice to discuss a wide spectrum of topics ranging from commercial development to the rule of law.
In his opening speech, the diplomat struck a cautious note on international developments, warning there had been changes “like never before”, while setting out roles he believed Hong Kong should play amid the uncertainties.
“The instability and uncertainty facing the international community have markedly increased, and unilateral and protectionist acts of long-arm jurisdiction, barrier-setting, decoupling and the chains-cutting have shown no sign of decreasing,” he said, calling such moves a “backlash against globalisation” while undermining international law and order.
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He said Hong Kong had long acted as a “super-connector” between mainland China and the outside world, with its legal tradition sitting well with both Chinese and foreign systems. The presence of international bodies in Hong Kong had been on the rise, he noted.
“Legal experts from Hong Kong are making their distinctive contributions to global affairs by negotiating international conventions as a member of the Chinese delegations,” he said. “The rule of law could strengthen the unique status and advantages of Hong Kong.”
On the national level, Liu pledged Beijing’s commitment to upholding the international rule of law, saying that only legal order could overcome global ups and downs and ensure good governance.
“China has been upholding and using the rule of law to guard against hegemony and poor politics, and protect fairness and justice,” Liu said, adding the international order should not be decided by “a few” without regard to the needs of developing countries.
“We must champion the international rule of law, coordinate and regulate state-to-state relations through systems and rules,” he said.
He alluded to the importance of legal compatibility around the world to ensure consistency on global phenomena such as the rise of the digital economy.
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On Hong Kong, which has been earmarked in the country’s 14th five-year plan as an international dispute resolution hub, Liu said the city’s competitiveness as a legal centre would continue to flourish with Beijing’s support.
He said the rule of law had been the cornerstone of success in the city implementing the “one country, two systems” governing principle, citing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speeches during his visit in July to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty and at the recently concluded Communist Party congress.
“To safeguard the foundation of Hong Kong’s rule of law, we must first and foremost, protect the authority of the constitution and the Basic Law,” said Liu, referring to the national constitution and the city’s mini-constitution.
Only by adhering to the rule of law could Hong Kong reach “vigour and vitality” while ensuring good governance, he said.
“At present, Hong Kong’s economic and social development is faced with some deep-seated issues and growing the economy and improving people’s livelihood are not an easy task,” he said.
“To build Hong Kong into a better place, the rule of law has an indispensable role to play. The importance of the rule of law must never be underestimated so that a strong legal energy can always be released to enhance Hong Kong’s strengths and address Hong Kong’s difficulties.”
In a recorded speech, meanwhile, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu touted Beijing’s plan to set up a preparatory office in Hong Kong for its International Organisation for Mediation as the latest achievement for the city.
The foreign ministry last week announced it had reached a consensus with an unspecified number of “like-minded” countries to set up the organisation.
Some legal experts view the body as an addition to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to provide a more all-rounded legal framework to resolve conflicts, though little details have been announced so far.
Lee said: “The great decision to choose Hong Kong as the location for this preparatory office signifies a vote of confidence by the relevant states in placing their trust in Hong Kong’s strength as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.”
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The legal event, which runs until Friday, will feature panel discussions on the city’s development of dispute resolution services.
Event participants are given a blue health code on arrival in Hong Kong and are allowed to join mask-off activities, including dining at private rooms and specified premises, but they must conduct rapid antigen testing before entering the venue.
“These designated activities are essential to the effective exchange between these overseas guests and other participants,” a government spokesman said on Sunday.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Rule of law worldwide challenged by ‘countries that claim to promote democracy’, top Chinese diplomat in Hong Kong says
- Hong Kong must wake up from ‘myth of American-style democracy’, says top Beijing diplomat
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