Global ties: Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung opens the Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung opened the Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the Hague Conference on Private International Law today. The three-day conference is jointly organised by the Department of Justice and the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Recognising the need to enhance international legal and judicial co-operation in the age of globalisation, Mr Wong said: "The Hague Conventions stand out as shining examples of a pool of international instruments, especially in the field of civil and commercial matters, which may be readily tapped into by jurisdictions around the world. Many of these instruments have been tested by time and actual cases and we can testify they have served Hong Kong very well over the years."

Hong Kong has been participating in the work of the Hague Conference since 1998. The department's counsels have participated as members of the Chinese delegation in the negotiations of new conventions and in the review of the operation of current conventions.

Mr Wong hailed Hong Kong's participation in the Hague Conference as "perhaps one of the best illustrations of the success of the One Country, Two Systems principle".

He added Hong Kong continues to look to the Hague Conference and Hague Conventions to help build bridges with other jurisdictions as the conventions serve as a very sound basis for international co-operation.

The Hong Kong conference is an interactive working conference consisting of presentations by selected speakers, panel discussions, as well as case studies or small group discussions. Delegates include senior government representatives, prominent lawyers, academics and representatives of non-government organisations in the region.