Former justice secretary welcomes Beijing move to establish Hong Kong as international mediation centre

Beijing will set up an office in Hong Kong to prepare for the establishment of a government-level international mediation body, a move praised by a former justice minister, who said the decision would cement the city’s status as a global dispute resolution centre.

Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, an arbitration specialist who stepped down as the secretary for justice in June, on Wednesday said the plan, which involves several other countries, was an acknowledgement of the city’s wealth of experience in the area.

“It is extremely welcoming that the central government and the states decided to set up the preparatory office of the international organisation for mediation in Hong Kong, recognising Hong Kong’s importance in international dispute resolution and realising the wealth of experience that the city has gained in promoting international mediation in various international forums,” Cheng told the Post.

She said mediation was a good way to resolve international disputes as it created a win-win situation that maintained good relationships among the parties involved.

Cheng was speaking after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday it had reached a consensus with an unspecified number of “like-minded” countries to set up the International Organisation for Mediation.

The ministry said the preparatory office would be established next year, after which it would begin negotiations on an international convention with member states.