Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in Hong Kong 

Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon to attend tomorrow’s signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). 

Wang and his delegation landed at Hong Kong International Airport around 2 pm.

They left the airport on a prearranged white minibus under police escort.

IOMed, to be established under the convention in Hong Kong, has been hailed as a significant boost to Hong Kong's global standing.

During a Legislative Council Q&A session, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized the organization's far-reaching influence, stating it would attract international talent and strengthen Hong Kong's role in dispute resolution. 

He invited recommendations for qualified professionals to serve in the new body.

Lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun of the Business and Professionals Alliance described IOMed as "a major gift from the nation" to Hong Kong, comparing its stature to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

She suggested Hong Kong leverage its common law system and connections with international legal experts to build a talent pool for the organization. 

Leung also raised Hong Kong's potential accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), noting an upcoming expert forum could promote the city's advantages.

Lee agreed Hong Kong should highlight its strengths in legal services and commercial dispute resolution when pursuing RCEP membership, citing the IOMed and the city's reputation as a premier arbitration hub as key assets.

The signing ceremony is expected to draw representatives from nearly 60 countries and 20 international organizations, followed by a global mediation forum discussing state-to-state and commercial dispute resolution.

(Ayra Wang)