Legal liaison: Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung and Minister of Justice Wu Aiying meet in Beijing.

Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung is visiting Beijing to discuss with the China International Economic & Trade Arbitration Commission ways to enhance co-operation of the arbitration trade in Hong Kong and on the Mainland.

Starting his two-day visit today Mr Wong said the tour is conducive to enhancing Hong Kong's role as a leading centre for regional and international dispute resolution.

At today's meeting Mr Wong will also discuss technical issues relating to Hong Kong's provision of arbitration services.

The commission handles domestic and international arbitration cases. As one of the world's busiest arbitration bodies it dealt with 1,118 disputes in 2007. Some of its 1,000-plus arbitrators are Hong Kong residents.

In the capital Mr Wong will also call on the National People's Congress Standing Committee Legislative Affairs Commission, the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office and Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office, the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

He will exchange views on issues including the development of arbitration services on the Mainland and Hong Kong, enhancement of mutual legal assistance and matters relating to legal services under the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

Mr Wong will return to Hong Kong on April 17.