Editor’s note: The following are remarks made by Prof Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, a HKSAR legislator and chairman of Hong Kong Association for External Friendship, at a function held on June 5, 2025.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It’s my great honor to address you today on the profound importance of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), which was established in Hong Kong on May 30, 2025), especially regarding its significance for peaceful economic and trade relations among the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) community.

A timely and necessary mechanism for RCEP

As the world’s largest free trade bloc, the RCEP community encompasses diverse economic systems, legal traditions and cultures. With the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce and international trade, disputes are inevitable.

Traditionally, litigation and arbitration have been the main mechanisms for resolving such disputes. Litigation, while formal and authoritative, often lacks the flexibility and privacy that many international commercial parties seek. Arbitration addresses some of these concerns, especially privacy and neutrality, but even arbitration can become adversarial and costly.

This is why the establishment of the international mediation body in Hong Kong, with the support of more than 60 countries and 20 international organizations, including the United Nations, is so crucial. It responds directly to the pressing need for an effective, flexible and peaceful dispute resolution mechanism that can accommodate the diversity and complexity of RCEP’s economic landscape.

The unique advantages of mediation

Today, I’m truly delighted to share my happiness in seeing international mediation receive such recognition in international circles. Mediation, by its nature, is voluntary, confidential, and facilitated by an impartial and highly trained third party -- the mediator. This approach allows parties to reach mutually acceptable solutions in a harmonious environment, often preserving long-term business relationships. Unlike litigation or even arbitration, mediation empowers the parties, giving them agency in shaping their outcomes, and is faster and more cost-effective.

I have advocated for the adoption of alternative dispute resolution for more than 20 years, both at the Legislative Council and in the professional and international community. I have worked together with more than 50 international experts specialized in international trade and dispute resolution. We all find mediation to be a highly effective model for settling disputes among parties from different cultures, political and legal systems, religious backgrounds, and economic circumstances. We have worked together for more than 10 years and, in 2017, advocated for an alternative dispute resolution system for international trade for Belt and Road countries, along with a set of model rules as guiding principles accepted by experts from these 50 countries. Thirty-three countries have begun translating these rules into their own languages. Why? Because the common model rules are effective, highly respected, and enjoy integrity recognized by top experts from different countries. We all believe that mediation should not only occur within a nation but should also be used among nations. We have witnessed that mediation enjoys a high success rate and widespread satisfaction among users. Importantly, mediation helps reduce tension, conflict, and risk -- all of which are vital for the stability and prosperity of the RCEP region.

Hong Kong: The chosen venue for global mediation

The decision to establish the IOMed’s headquarters in Hong Kong is a testament to Hong Kong’s mature legal system, its unique position under “one country, two systems” and its role as a bridge between common law and civil law traditions. Hong Kong’s international connectivity, bilingual legal talent and professional expertise make it the ideal neutral ground for resolving cross-border disputes. As part of the Greater Bay Area, I’m happy to say that not only does Hong Kong practice common law, but Macao practices European civil law and the Chinese mainland practices Chinese civil law simultaneously.

HKSAR is honored to serve as the hub for this historic initiative, which aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area’s legal integration. This is significant recognition and an opportunity for Hong Kong to contribute to global and regional peace and development. I sincerely hope that not long from now, Hong Kong can become a member of RCEP and serve all of you even better.

Reflecting traditional Chinese values: Harmony is most precious

China’s traditional values, especially -- harmony is of utmost value -- deeply inform our approach. The international mediation organization embodies this spirit, answering the common aspirations of all countries for peace, stability, and development. It is a platform for -- win-win cooperation -- where differences are addressed not through confrontation, but through dialogue, compromise, and mutual respect.

Responding to global needs for peaceful development

In today’s uncertain international environment, the risk of conflict, both economic and political, is rising. Some nations abandon multilateralism and challenge established international rules. Against this backdrop, the international mediation organization offers a new platform for peaceful dispute resolution, upholding the international order and promoting stability.

The organization is not only a complement to existing mechanisms like the World Trade Organization, but is also a forward-looking institution that can fill critical gaps, particularly for international commercial and trade disputes within the RCEP.

Our way forward

To fully realize this vision, we must:

• Deepen international engagement and cooperation, especially among Belt and Road and RCEP countries;

• Promote legal harmonization within regions like the Greater Bay Area;

• And cultivate more professionals versed in international law, business, and intercultural communication.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen, let us seize this historic opportunity. The international mediation organization stands as a beacon of harmony, cooperation, and peaceful development for the RCEP community and beyond. By embedding the spirit of harmony, we not only resolve disputes, but also build bridges of trust and shared prosperity for our future.

Thank you.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.