From May 21 to 23, 2024,Mr Paul Lam, the Secretary for Justice of the Government of Hong Kong SAR (SJ) visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with his delegation comprising approximately 30 delegates from Invest Hong Kong, the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, the South China International Arbitration Center (HK)(SCIAHK) and related sectors. Li Xiongfeng, Deputy Secretary-General of theSCIAHK and Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Development Department of Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), joined the visit together with the delegation.
On May 21, 2024, with SJ and his delegation, Mr Li attended a market briefing from HSBC, Middle East at Abu Dhabi, and visited the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, engaging in in-depth discussions with business and legal professionals on finance, law, arbitration, and other fields. The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Mr Zhang Yiming, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE.
On May 22, 2024, the delegation attended a Forum titled "Hong Kong - The Common Law Gateway for UAE Businesses to China and Beyond" for promoting Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services. This forum attracted more than 300 participants from the legal, business and other sectors of the UAE. Followed by the Forum, the delegation attended a meeting with the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department to explore opportunities to foster legal collaboration between Hong Kong and Dubai. The delegation also visited the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai.
On May 23, 2024, the delegation visited the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre, and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. During these visits, Mr Li highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role in promoting the reform and innovation of international arbitration in China, shared and exchanged views on the provision of comprehensive alternative dispute resolution services.
