大家上午好！很荣幸受邀出席本届亚太国际私法峰会，与在场嘉宾共同为香港法律周2024揭开序幕。今年法律周的主题是“香港普通法制度——中外机遇之世界级跳板”，高度概括了香港的独特优势和地位，彰显了“一国两制”的强大生命力和巨大优越性。我谨代表外交部驻港公署对香港法律周开幕及亚太国际私法峰会召开表示热烈祝贺！
我们身处一个机遇与挑战并存的时代。如果用一个关键词描述当前的国际形势，我想这个词应该是“变革”。本次亚太国际私法峰会将讨论包括数字资产、代币、碳信用、国际投资和可持续发展等广泛议题，这也反映了国际规则要调整适应科技产业变革、从而释放发展潜力的趋势和责任。“天行健，君子以自强不息”，新时代中国外交也在不断创新理念和实践，积极发挥建设性作用，推动全球治理和国际法治朝着更加公正合理的方向发展。
我们坚持主权平等，推动平等有序的世界多极化。世界多极化是历史发展的大势，也是历史进步的方向。新兴经济体与发展中经济体的国内生产总值（GDP）占全球经济的份额在2008年首次超过发达国家经济体，达到59.83%，“全球南方”崛起势头卓然，公道正义、合作共赢成为国际社会共同追求和不可阻挡的时代潮流。中方坚持国家不分大小、强弱，都能在多极化进程中平等参与，享受权利，发挥作用。中方秉持真正的多边主义，通过中非合作论坛、金砖国家峰会等平台广泛凝聚共识，夯实发展中国家合作基石，携手应对全球性挑战，共同维护国际和地区稳定安全，为“全球南方”现代化事业注入强大力量。
我们坚持互利共赢，推进普惠包容的经济全球化。经济全球化是人类社会前进的必由之路、不可逆转的时代潮流。我们提倡不同国家、不同阶层、不同人群都能参与并享有经济社会发展成果，实现共同发展。今年以来，中国经济呈现“稳”和“进”的积极态势，为世界经济复苏注入稳定性。中方积极维护全球产业链供应链的稳定畅通，推动构建公正透明的国际经贸规则体系，促进全球经济开放、交流、融合。中国与150多个国家、30多个国际组织签署200余份共建“一带一路”合作文件，形成3000多个合作项目，以互联互通串联起世界各国的发展机遇。香港作为中国高水平对外开放的窗口，为世界各国分享中国发展红利提供重要通道。
我们坚持公平正义，促进全球治理法治化。法治化是推进全球治理体系变革、构建国际政治经济新秩序的必然要求。我们坚定维护以国际法为基础的国际秩序，加强多边机制的公平性和透明度，推动共商共建共享的全球治理。中方积极推动海洋、极地、数字货币、人工智能、气候变化、公共卫生等新兴领域治理规则发展，支持国际统一私法协会、海牙国际私法会议等多边法律组织发挥作用，加强国际规则统一协调，促进各国私法实践协同发展，确保国际法平等统一适用，共同以国际良法促进全球善治。
各位嘉宾，各位朋友，
面对变乱交织的国际形势，中国共产党二十届三中全会作出了进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的战略部署。中国选择以改革创新精神和开放包容姿态，走出一条与传统大国崛起截然不同的新路，于变局中觅转机，于变局中开新局。前不久，香港特区行政长官李家超发布了第三份施政报告，积极回应国家发展战略，锐意改革、奋发进取，以务实举措造福香港民众。我们相信香港一定能够用好“一国”之利和“两制”之便，主动识变应变求变，充分发挥独特优势，当好中外联通的“世界级跳板”。
第一，用好制度优势，做好开放合作的桥梁。中央政府坚定不移贯彻“一国两制”是香港繁荣发展的最大底气。香港可继续强化“内联外通”独特角色，为中外企业经贸往来牵线搭桥。作为中国唯一实行普通法制度的司法管辖区，香港可充分发挥普通法普遍适用性，凝聚不同市场主体，拓展畅通便捷的国际联系。
第二，用好人才优势，做好规则融通的接口。作为亚太区国际法律及解决争议服务中心，香港可继续发挥金融法律人才资源和专业服务优势，为企业投资布局、融资管理、风险防控、争端解决等提供服务保障，推动监管政策、治理规则和准入标准同国际接轨，营造自由开放法治的营商环境。
第三，用好区位优势，做好文明互鉴的纽带。香港可发挥中外文化荟萃优势，善用东西交融区位便利，当好多元文化交流纽带，推动不同国家和地区法治经验交流、法律机制协调和司法互助合作，推进法律制度、法律文化和法律实践联动，讲好法治互学互鉴故事，搭建法律服务互动共享平台。
各位嘉宾，各位朋友，
法者，天下之公器也，变者，天下之公理也。回归祖国后，香港在国家改革开放的壮阔洪流中敢为天下先，为祖国创造经济长期平稳快速发展的奇迹作出了不可替代的贡献。现在，进一步全面深化改革是香港抢抓新机遇、谋划新发展、拓展新空间的又一良机。我们期待，香港以主动求变精神，把握历史机遇，充分发挥“一国两制”香港法治特色优势，阔步迈向由治及兴，携手共建更加美好未来！
最后，祝愿此次峰会圆满成功！谢谢大家！
Good morning! It gives me great pleasure to attend the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit and to jointly kick off Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 with all of you.
The theme for this year’s Legal Week is “Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China and Beyond”, which points to Hong Kong’s unique strengths and highlights the importance of the “one country, two systems” principle.
On behalf of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, I extend my warm congratulations on the opening of the Legal Week and the convening of the Summit!
We are in an era where both great opportunities and challenges exist. If to describe this era with one word, I think it should be “change”. Our Summit today will discuss a wide range of topics, including digital assets, tokens, carbon credits, international investment, and sustainable development. It highlights the necessity for international rules to change and evolve alongside technological advancements.
In the new era, China has been consistently innovating its diplomatic ideas to make global governance and international law fairer and more equitable.
First, we uphold sovereign equality and advocate for an equal and orderly multi-polar world. The trend towards global multi-polarity marks a significant historical shift, with emerging and developing economies surpassing developed countries in GDP share, now reaching 59.83%. The “Global South” is rising, and fairness, justice and win-win cooperation are increasingly becoming the common pursuit of the international community.
China stands firm on true multilateralism and believes that all nations, regardless of size or strength, should participate equally in this multi-polar process. With this belief, we foster consensus through platforms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the BRICS Summit, and make joint efforts with countries around the world to address global challenges.
Second, we uphold mutual benefit and advocate for inclusive economic globalization. Economic globalization is an irreversible trend. All countries, classes, and groups should equally share the outcomes of economic and social development.
This year, China’s economy has shown an encouraging momentum of stability and growth, contributing to global recovery. Also, China actively maintains the stability of global industrial and supply chains and works for a fairer international trade system.
China has signed over 200 cooperation documents under the Belt and Road Initiative with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations, resulting in over 3,000 cooperative projects. As a window for China’s high-standard opening-up, Hong Kong helps countries worldwide to share China’s development dividends.
Third, we uphold fairness and justice and advocate for the rule of law in global governance. We firmly protect the international order based on international law, and contribute our share to enhancing fairness and transparency of multilateral mechanisms and fostering a global governance model featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.
China promotes the development of governance rules in emerging areas such as oceans, polar regions, digital currencies, artificial intelligence, climate change, and public health. We support the roles of multilateral legal organizations like the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Our aim is to strengthen the coordination of international rules and ensure the equal application of international law to make global governance better.
Dear guests and friends,
In a changing international landscape, the third plenum of 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made strategic decisions to deepen reforms and advance Chinese modernization. China embraces reform and innovation amid challenges, charting a new path distinct from traditional major powers’ rise.
Recently, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, released his third policy address, committing to reforms that benefit the people of Hong Kong. As a “world-class springboard” for connecting China with the rest of the world, Hong Kong has many unique advantages to leverage:
First, policy advantage of “one country, two systems”. The central government's unwavering commitment to “one country, two systems” is the strongest foundation for Hong Kong’s development. Hong Kong can continue to enhance its unique role of a “super-connector” to facilitate trade and investment between Chinese and foreign enterprises. As the only jurisdiction in China that applies a common law system, Hong Kong can also unite diverse market participants and expand international connections.
Second, talent advantage. As the Asia-Pacific center for legal and dispute resolution services, Hong Kong can leverage its financial and legal expertise to provide support for businesses in investment planning, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution. It can also use its talent strength to align its regulatory policies and governance standards with international ones to further improve its business environment.
Third, location advantage. As a city where East-meets-West, Hong Kong can act as a bridge for multi-cultural interactions, facilitate legal assistance cooperation and the exchanges of legal experience, and build a sharing platform for legal services.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has played a leading role in national reform and opening-up, significantly contributing to the country’s stable and rapid economic development. Now, China deepening reform presents Hong Kong with a chance to explore new prospects. We look forward to Hong Kong embracing changes, leveraging its advantages and creating a better future for all.
To conclude, I wish this summit great success!
Thank you all!
