The Law Society Brings Over 80 Hong Kong and Shenzhen Students to Explore the Greater Bay Area's Legal Future

All-English Study Tour offers first-hand insights into the rule of law, dispute resolution, technology and cross-border opportunities

Hong Kong's future as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre depends not only on strong institutions, but also on nurturing a new generation equipped with a global outlook, a strong understanding of the rule of law and an appreciation of the opportunities emerging across the Greater Bay Area (“GBA”).

To support this vision, The Law Society of Hong Kong (“Law Society”) brought together more than 80 students from Hong Kong and Shenzhen for the third GBA Study Tour under its flagship youth programme, Teen Talk. Reflecting the diversity of the GBA itself, the students came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and nationalities, including South Africa, Japan and India. Themed “Youth in Motion • Bridging GBA”, the Study Tour was held from 4 to 5 July 2026. During the two days in Shenzhen, students visited leading judicial and arbitration institutions, engaged with legal professionals and gained first-hand exposure to legal practice, dispute resolution and judicial technology.

Conducted entirely in English, the Study Tour was designed to deepen students' understanding of Hong Kong's unique strengths under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, particularly its position as a bilingual common law jurisdiction and a gateway connecting Chinese Mainland with the world. The immersive learning environment strengthened students' communication and presentation skills while providing valuable insights into the role of legal services in facilitating cross-border exchanges and international cooperation.

Reflecting the spirit of mentorship and succession that lies at the heart of Teen Talk, students benefited from the dedicated guidance of volunteer solicitor facilitators, who shared their professional knowledge and practical experience throughout the Study Tour. The Law Society also invited an outstanding participant from last year and interns to serve as masters of ceremonies, exemplifying the Study Tour’s tradition of passing on experience, inspiration and encouragement to future cohorts.

Fostering the Next Generation Through Rule of Law Education

Jointly organised by the Law Society, the Justice Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, the Study Tour received strong support from government departments and professional institutions in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Established in 2009, Teen Talk is the Law Society's flagship youth rule of law education programme. Through interactive learning, discussions, debates and moots, the programme aims to nurture young people's understanding of the law, respect for the rule of law and sense of social responsibility. Since 2024, Teen Talk has expanded beyond the classroom through a two-day GBA Study Tour, offering students valuable opportunities to engage with legal professionals, visit key institutions and gain first-hand exposure to legal developments in the region.

At the Opening Ceremony, Roden Tong Man-lung, President of The Law Society of Hong Kong, encouraged students to remain curious, ask questions and embrace new perspectives throughout the journey.

“Knowledge may broaden one's horizons, but it is integrity that earns lasting trust and respect,” he said.

Adding further inspiration to the Study Tour, Olympic gymnastics champion Li Xiaopeng shared his experience of overcoming setbacks, injuries and challenges throughout his sporting career. His message of discipline, perseverance and respect for rules resonated strongly with students, highlighting the values that underpin both sporting excellence and the rule of law.

Inside Chinese Mainland's Judicial and Arbitration Institutions

A key highlight of the Study Tour was the students’ visit to the Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone People’s Court and the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, where they gained first-hand insights into the operation of judicial and dispute resolution institutions in Chinese Mainland.

Stepping inside courtrooms and judicial facilities, students learned how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are being applied to case management, document processing and court administration. The opportunity to engage directly with legal professionals deepened their understanding of Chinese Mainland's ongoing efforts to advance the rule of law and modernise its judicial system.

At the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, students explored the growing importance of arbitration and mediation in resolving cross-border commercial disputes. They also participated in an interactive role-play exercise simulating a cross-border dispute, which provided practical exposure to diversified dispute resolution mechanisms in an increasingly interconnected region.

Tong also introduced the International Organization for Mediation, headquartered in Hong Kong, and shared its journey in advancing cross-border mediation cooperation. He further explained how the complementary strengths of Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland have contributed to the development of diversified dispute resolution services. Benefiting from the unique advantages of “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong continues to play a distinctive role in international arbitration and mediation through its common law system, independent judiciary and international legal talent.

Sports Law, APEC and the Future of Dispute Resolution

Another highlight of the Study Tour was an all-English group presentation competition focusing on the development of sports dispute resolution in the GBA under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (“APEC”) framework.

The topic was particularly timely given Shenzhen's role as host city of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this November and Hong Kong's growing efforts to develop sports dispute resolution services. Drawing on international sporting events and the commercial activities they generate, students examined how legal services support the sports industry through areas such as sponsorship, intellectual property protection and dispute resolution. They also considered Hong Kong's emerging role in this field following the launch of the Department of Justice's Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution, which adopts a “mediation first, arbitration next” approach to resolve sports disputes.

Working in teams, students showcased their findings through creative presentation formats, including role-play and interactive exchanges, generating lively discussion throughout the competition. Their confident and thoughtful responses demonstrated strong analytical thinking, communication skills and the ability to think on their feet.

Following a closely contested competition, Jocelyn Ma from Diocesan Girls’ School and Sunny Li from Good Hope School were jointly awarded the Best Speaker Award for their outstanding performances.

In his closing remarks, Tong encouraged students to uphold professionalism and integrity, make full use of the opportunities afforded by “One Country, Two Systems”, deepen their understanding of both Hong Kong and the country, and cultivate an international outlook. The competition concluded amid enthusiastic applause, leaving students with a deeper appreciation of the rule of law, national development and the opportunities arising from GBA integration.

Discovering the Opportunities of the Greater Bay Area

The Study Tour concluded with a visit to Shenzhen's landmark China Resources Tower, where students enjoyed panoramic views of Shenzhen Bay and witnessed first-hand the city's rapid transformation and the remarkable achievements of GBA development.

Over the two days, the Study Tour combined law, technology, sports and national development into a unique learning experience that extended far beyond the classroom. More importantly, it encouraged students to broaden their horizons, explore future opportunities and deepen their understanding of the role they can play in Hong Kong's and the country's future development.