包括三大国际私法组织高层在内的国际法律界翘楚聚首香港，出席一连五日的“香港法律周”活动。这是香港继成功举办金融峰会、国际七人榄球赛之后的又一国际盛事。香港回来了，重新回到了世界舞台的中心，活力澎湃，动感十足，特别是国际法律界对香港法治的高度认可和支持，证明香港法治根基坚如磐石。只要我们坚定信心，用好国家支持，发挥好自身独特优势，必定能开创新的发展局面。

　　海牙国际私法会议秘书长Christophe Bernasconi接受大公报记者采访，高度推崇香港拥有非常专业和训练有素的法律专业人员，海牙会议从中受益良多。“一方面，在关于国际公约和实务的谈判中，香港一直是中国代表团的一部分，我们一直听到香港的声音，并且重视香港的声音；另一方面，我们和律政司达成协议，香港派出专业的法律人员到海牙的总部工作，当中有执业律师，他们的经验和专长都让我们受益。”他强调，香港提供的区域元素和对区内的了解，“为我们在区内发展提供了很多便利。”

　　香港实现拨乱反正，如今正走向由治及兴的新时代，国际反华势力开动宣传机器，疯狂抹黑香港，攻击香港法治。国际法律界名人迎着逆风聚首香港，既是对法律正义的坚持，也是看好中国，看好香港。世界重心向亚太转移，中国作为全球第二大经济体，发展势头不可阻挡，粤港澳大湾区和“一带一路”建设，为大家提供巨大机遇，大量商业交易需要法律提供的确定性和稳定性，大量争议和分歧的出现意味着对仲裁和调解服务需求的增加。香港作为中国境内唯一实施普通法的区域，角色不可替代。

　　香港早就为国际社会提供法律和争端调解服务。以香港国际仲裁中心为例，2019年受理503起案件，争议金额达364亿港元，80%为国际案件；2020年受理483起案件，争议金额688亿港元，72%为国际案件；2021年，受理514起案件，争议金额546亿元，81%为国际案件。这还不是香港处理国际争议案件的全貌，事实上，越来越多国际私法机构在香港设立分支机构，海牙国际私法会议在全球设有两个办公室，其中一个在香港。正如Christophe Bernasconi所指出，“更多国际组织落户香港，为国际法律枢纽增光添彩”、“国际法律组织与香港的结合，是成功的方程式”，香港的优势日益彰显。

　　香港作为区域法律和解决争议中心的角色，在国家的大力支持下，正在不断增强。国家“十四五”规划支持香港发展“八大中心”，其中一个是亚太区国际法律及解决争议中心。中共二十大报告指出，深化香港同各国各地区更加开放、更加密切的交往合作。国家对香港的定位及提供的机遇，我们必须好好把握。令人鼓舞的是，由中国和多个国家共同发起的国际仲裁院，将是世界上首个处理国家间争议的仲裁平台，该筹备办公室设在香港，再次体现了中央的支持和关爱。

　　香港法律周的成功举行，彰显了香港背靠祖国、联通世界的独特优势。正如行政长官李家超昨日所指出，法律周将巩固香港作为法律中心的地位。随着香港稳控疫情，不断推进复常，香港各方面将得到更大的发展，香港区域法律中心地位也必将不断强化。

With a solid foundation of the rule of law, Hong Kong has bright prospects by bringing its advantages into play

Prominent figures of the international legal profession including high-level officials from the three major international private law organisations gather together in the SAR to attend a five-day Hong Kong Legal Week. This is yet another international event following the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit and the Hong Kong Sevens. Hong Kong is back, back to the centre of the world arena, full of vigour and dynamics.　　In particular, the international legal profession's deep appreciation of and support for Hong Kong's rule of law proves the foundation of the rule of law in the SAR is as solid as rocks. As long as we proceed with confidence, make good use of our Motherland's support and bring our unique advantages into play, Hong Kong is bound to create a new phase of development.

In an interview with Ta Kung Pao, Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), highly praised Hong Kong for owning very professional and well trained legal professionals, from which HCCH benefits a lot. "On the one hand, in negotiations involving international conventions and practical matters, Hong Kong always is part of the Chinese delegation, so we always hear and pay attention to Hong Kong's voice; on the other hand, we have reached an agreement with the Department of Justice for Hong Kong to send legal professionals to work in our headquarters in Hague. Among them there are practicing lawyers, and we benefit from their experiences and expertise." He stressed that the regional factors provided by Hong Kong and its understanding of the region "facilitate and convenience our development in the region a great deal."

Having brought order out of chaos, Hong Kong is now embarking on the new journey from stability to prosperity. Starting their propaganda machines to madly smear Hong Kong, international anti-China forces attack the rule of law in the SAR. Against the evil wind, well-known figures of the international legal profession have come and gathered in Hong Kong. This shows not only their adherence to legal justice but also their belief in the good prospects of China and Hong Kong. The focus of the world is shifting to Asia-Pacific. As the world's second largest economy, China's development momentum is unstoppable. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Belt and Raid Initiative offer enormous opportunities. A large number of commercial deals need certainty and stability provided by laws, and emergence of a large number of disputes and differences is meant an increase in demand for arbitration and mediation services. Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China and as such its role is irreplaceable.

Hong Kong has since long ago been providing legal and dispute resolution services for the international community. Taking the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) for example, in 2019, it handled 503 cases with the total amount in dispute reaching $36.4 billion and 80 per cent of the cases being international in nature; in 2020, it handled 483 cases with the total amount in dispute reaching $68.8 billion and 72 per cent of the cases being international in nature; in 2021, it handled 514 cases with the total amount in dispute reaching $54.6 billion and 81 per cent the cases being international in nature. Yet this is not the whole picture of Hong Kong handling cases of international disputes. Actually, more and more private international law organisations have set branches in Hong Kong. HCCH has two offices globally, one of them is in Hong Kong. As Christophe Bernasconi pointed out, "More international organisations have settled down in Hong Kong, which adds lustre to this international legal hub", and "international legal organisations teaming with Hong Kong is a successful equation", which increasingly highlights Hong Kong's advantages.

With strong support of the Motherland, Hong Kong keeps enhancing its role as a regional hub for dispute resolution. The national 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong to develop itself into "eight hubs", one of which being an international legal and dispute resolution hub in Asia-Pacific.　　The Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) stresses on deepening Hong Kong's more open and closer exchange and cooperation with other countries and other regions. We must cherish and hold on to the positioning and opportunities provided to Hong Kong by our country.　　It is inspiring that the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) jointly initiated by China and other countries will be the first platform in the world to provide mediation services for international disputes. The IOMed Preparatory Office is established in Hong Kong, which once again shows the Central Government's support and care for Hong Kong.

The successful convening of Hong Kong Legal Week highlights Hong Kong's unique advantage of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world. As pointed out by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu yesterday, the Legal Week will consolidate Hong Kong's status as a legal hub. As Hong Kong stabilises epidemic control and keeps pressing on along the path to normalcy, greater development is expected in various sectors and Hong Kong's status as a regional legal hub is bound to be enhanced steadily.