——崔建春特派员在第二届“融通与发展”法治论坛上的致辞
（2024年11月5日，香港会展中心）
尊敬的林定国司长，
尊敬的亚投行总法律顾问倪博图先生，
尊敬的各位总领事，
女士们，先生们：
大家上午好！很高兴出席第二届“融通与发展”法治论坛，这是外交部驻港公署与特区律政司第二次合办以法治为主题的论坛活动。首先，我谨向关心支持论坛举办的新老朋友们表示感谢！向线上线下的参会嘉宾表示欢迎和问候！当前，世界正经历百年未有之大变局，世界多极化、经济全球化深入发展，各国相互依存，命运与共。在此背景下，“融通”是不可阻挡的历史大势，“发展”是国际社会的普遍追求，“法治”已成为各国核心竞争力的重要内容。香港作为融通中外、高度开放的经济体，既享有同全球化相适应的独特优势，也面临如何运用法治方式维护发展权利、巩固发展空间的时代课题。今年7月，中国共产党二十届三中全会对进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化作出战略部署，加强法治建设是其中的重要内容。面对世界大变局、国家新征程，香港如何善用法治实现自身更好发展？在此，我愿以“三重机遇”（Three-fold Opportunities）分享自己的看法体会：一是特区法治环境优化带来新机遇。法治是基本法所确认的香港核心价值，是香港保持长期繁荣稳定的有力支撑。随着基本法23条立法顺利完成，特区的居民福祉、营商环境、对外交往得到更好保障，一个安全稳定、发展可期的香港必将继续成为各国投资者干事创业、逐梦筑梦的福地。二是国家推进法治建设带来新机遇。法治是中国式现代化的重要保障。国家正统筹推进国内法治和涉外法治，完善涉外领域立法和粤港澳大湾区规则衔接，大力培养涉外法治人才，积极发展涉外法律服务，必将使香港法律领域专业优势得到更全面释放、法律服务业活力得到更充分激发。三是全球治理发展完善带来新机遇。法治是全球治理的必然要求。当今世界需要更加公正合理、与时俱进的治理规则体系。香港在“一国两制”框架下享有独特地位，在中央政府支持协助下，深度参与国际规则谈判及世贸组织等多边机制，必将在助力国家引领塑造全球治理中扮演更重要角色，获得更有利于发展的外部环境。乘历史大势而上，走人间正道致远。加强法治建设既是以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的长远所需，也是香港顺时而为、乘势而上，实现新发展的康庄大道。我有三点建议与大家共勉，用三个C来概括：第一，巩固法律优势（reinforce competitiveness in the legal field），打造“全球争议解决优选地”。在国家各项法律领域惠港政策支持下，香港积极建设“亚太区国际法律及解决争议服务中心”，亚非法协香港区域仲裁中心、香港国际法律人才培训学院等法治公共产品不断涌现，香港在法治领域的国际竞争力不断增强。前不久，国际调解院公约谈判在香港圆满完成，谈判各方决定于明年在香港举办公约签署仪式。我们将全力支持特区做强做大调解服务，推动香港成为全球“调解之都”。第二，加强规则融通（improve connectivity of rules and standards），服务国家扩大制度型开放。规则衔接和机制对接是国家赋予香港的重要使命。香港作为自由港和单独关税区，实行高标准的经贸规则、规制、管理和标准，具备高度开放性及国际化的法律制度，是探索不同法系、跨境法律规则衔接的试验田。今年，内地与香港达成新的服务贸易安排。展望未来，我们相信香港定将不负“超级联络人”的角色，在国家制度型开放中当好“排头兵”、“先行者”。第三，坚定法治自信（bolster confidence in the rule of law），促进中西法治文明交流互鉴。香港是中西法律文化形态的大熔炉，在长期的历史演进中形成了中西合璧、特色鲜明的法治积淀。回归后，国家宪法和基本法成为香港普通法制度的效力来源和宪制基础。面对美西方对香港法官的威胁恫吓，香港司法制度有足够的韧性。我们将全力支持特区更加积极主动开展对外法律交流合作，向世界讲好国家和香港法治故事，在法治文明交流互鉴中进一步彰显香港价值、香港担当。香港正处于开创新局面、实现新飞跃的关键期，也是香港发挥法治特色优势，实现由治及兴的历史机遇期。外交部驻港公署愿同各位法律界同仁一道，携手推动香港在新时代国家发展中发挥新作用、实现新发展、作出新贡献。Seizing New Opportunities in the Rule of Law for New Development of Hong Kong
— Speech by Commissioner Cui Jianchun at the Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development
Secretary Paul Lam Ting-kwok,
Mr Alberto Ninio (General Counsel at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank),
Honorable Consuls-General,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning! I am very pleased to attend the second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity and Development. This is the second legal forum co-hosted by the Commissioner’s Office and the Justice Department. I would like to express my gratitude to all the old and new friends for supporting this forum and extend my warm welcome to all participants, both online and offline.The world is undergoing unprecedented changes, with deepening multi-polarity and economic globalization. Countries are becoming increasingly interdependent. In today’s world, “connectivity” is an unstoppable historical trend, “development” is a common pursuit of the international community, and “the rule of law” is a vital component of a country’s competitiveness.As a highly open economy that connects China with the world, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages that fit the globalization trend, but at the same time faces the task of leveraging legal means to safeguard development rights and expand development space. In July this year, the Third Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted a Resolution, which includes strategic arrangements for further comprehensive reform and advancing Chinese modernization. Strengthening the rule of law is a key part of the Resolution. How can Hong Kong capitalize on the rule of law to achieve new development? My answer is to seize “Three-fold Opportunities”.The first opportunity is from the improvement of Hong Kong’s rule of Law environment. The rule of law is a core value affirmed by the Basic Law and serves as a strong foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. Article 23 legislation has been completed and it better safeguards the rights of Hong Kong residents, and Hong Kong’s business environment and international exchanges. A safe, stable, and promising Hong Kong will continue to be a favored destination for investors from around the world.The second opportunity is from the great importance China attaches on the rule of law development. The rule of law is essential for Chinese modernization. China is now advancing both domestic and foreign-related legal frameworks, improving rules alignment in the Greater Bay Area, and cultivating legal professionals in international law. This will help enhance Hong Kong’s legal expertise and invigorate its legal services sector.The third opportunity is from the development of global governance. The rule of law is a core tenet for global governance. The world needs a fairer and more updated governance system. Under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong enjoys a unique status to participate in international rule negotiations and multilateral mechanisms like the WTO. In the future, Hong Kong will play a more important role in improving global governance and will have a more favorable external environment for development.Strengthening the rule of law is crucial for China to pursue Chinese modernization, at the same time, it’s crucial for Hong Kong to achieve new development. Here, I would like to share three suggestions, summarized with three Cs:The first C is competitiveness. Hong Kong needs to reinforce competitiveness in the legal field and build itself into a “preferred destination for global dispute resolution”. Supported by national policies, Hong Kong is developing into an Asia-Pacific center for legal and dispute resolution services. The AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Center and the coming Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy (which will be launched on this Friday) will further enhance Hong Kong’s legal competitiveness. Recently, negotiations on the convention for IOMed were successfully concluded in Hong Kong, and a signing ceremony is scheduled for next year. We will fully support Hong Kong in strengthening mediation services and help build Hong Kong into the “capital of mediation”.The second C is connectivity. Hong Kong needs to improve connectivity of its rules and standards to support China’s institutional opening-up. Rules alignment and mechanism connectivity are vital missions of Hong Kong. As a free port and a separate customs territory, Hong Kong implements high-standard trade rules and regulations, making it a testing ground for strengthening connectivity of cross-border legal frameworks between different law systems. This year, a new service trade arrangement was established between the mainland and Hong Kong. Looking ahead, we believe Hong Kong will fulfill its role as a “super connector” to strongly support China’s institutional opening-up.The third C is confidence. Hong Kong needs to bolster confidence in the rule of law to promote mutual learning between Chinese and Western legal cultures. Hong Kong is a melting pot of Chinese and Western legal traditions. Since Hong Kong’s return, China’s constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law have formed the foundation of Hong Kong’s common law system. Despite external threats to Hong Kong judges, Hong Kong’s legal system has demonstrated strong resilience. We will support Hong Kong in expanding international legal exchanges, and telling the rule of law stories of the country and Hong Kong to the world.Hong Kong stands at a critical juncture for new opportunities. It must further leverage its unique strengths in rule of law to seek greater development. The Commissioner’s Office is ready to work with all of you to help Hong Kong achieve new success and also make new contributions to national development.To conclude, I wish this forum great success.
