Chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan (front row, centre), the Department of Justice's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force held its first meeting Jan 18. This photo shows Cheung and Task Force members Eva Sit, senior council (front row, left), Professor Xi Chao (front row, right), (back row, from left) Wong Pit-man, Andy Chan, Li Mingrui and Daphne Lo at the meeting. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – The Department of Justice's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force held its first meeting in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning.

According to a press release issued by the HKSAR government, the chairperson of the task force, Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan gave three work directions aimed to enable the GBA to fully capitalize on its unique advantages of "one country, two systems and three jurisdictions".

Leaders in the legal, business and academia arenas as well as representatives of Hong Kong residents on the mainland serve as members of the task force

The cross-border task force will initially focus on bringing together legal practices, as well as on further improving mutual legal assistance, including in civil and commercial matters. Also, it will aim to promote online dispute resolution and lawtech applications.

ALSO READ: Three GBA cities in top 10 ranking of pay levels

The task force, established earlier this month to dovetail with the national strategies to create strong impetus for growth, was announced by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in his maiden Policy Address given on Oct 16, 2022. 

Before the meeting started, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam briefly met the task force members and said he hoped their work would help enhance interactions among the people and businesses in the GBA.

READ MORE: GBA briefs

Leaders in the legal, business and academia arenas as well as representatives of Hong Kong residents on the mainland serve as members of the task force.