$500m bill looms in race to repurpose Wan Chai landmark

The government has informed Legislative Council members that the cost of converting the old Wan Chai police station into the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation will range from HK$200 million to HK$500 million.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok has expressed an intention to secure Legco support by the end of this month for the transformation.

The government is expected to consult both the public works subcommittee and the finance committee within the first quarter.

The purpose of the conversion is to provide office space, mediation facilities and other supporting amenities to meet the operational requirements of the organization.

Once complete, the building will feature mediation facilities, multi-purpose conference rooms, reception and entrance areas, waiting and security screening zones, as well as a library.

Additionally, there will be social exchange areas, workstations for participants in mediation proceedings, back-of-house facilities, including archives, record and general storage, photocopying rooms, and ancillary amenities such as toilets, pantries, a lactation room, a building management office, and outdoor parking spaces.

"It is anticipated that the project will take approximately 1 years to complete once funding approval is obtained from the finance committee, with substantial completion expected by mid-2025."

The organization, officially set up last February by Beijing, comprises several China-friendly countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Laos, Cambodia, Serbia, Belarus, Sudan, Algeria and Djibouti.

It aims to offer friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services for international disputes while maintaining an open and inclusive membership, as stated in a joint statement among the founding countries.

It is seen as a valuable complement to existing dispute resolution institutions and methods, providing a new platform for the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

A preparatory office was set up in Hong Kong in October 2022 to initiate and organize the negotiation of the relevant international convention and the preparatory work for the organization's establishment.

The government has welcomed the establishment of the preparatory office, regarding it as a show of strong support from China and an endorsement of the city's unique status under the one country, two systems principle. It is believed that this development will strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international center for legal services and dispute resolution in the Asia Pacific region.

"It also signifies a vote of confidence by the states signing the joint statement in placing their trust in the SAR as the location for the preparatory office. We believe that this would strengthen the HKSAR as an international legal and dispute resolution services center in the Asia Pacific region," according to the government.