Stanley Chan says the IOMed will enhance the image of Hong Kong despite the smear tactics used by some anti-China politicians in the West

In 2022, negotiations on establishing the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) began, initiated by China and some 20 other countries. These founding members signed a Joint Statement on the Future Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, with the objective of lining up likeminded countries to set up a universally recognized institute to provide a friendly, flexible, efficient and economical mediation service as an alternative for dispute resolution in international affairs. The Preparatory Office for the IOMed was set up in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Feb 16, 2023. After two years of hard work, the signing of the convention took place on May 30 with the ceremony being officiated by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The detailed structure of the IOMed has yet to be revealed, but is expected to be outlined after the signing ceremony.

Needless to say, a great deal of effort has been exerted in the past two years by the preparatory team. Negotiations with various countries with a view to drafting a comprehensive convention acceptable to all parties are inevitably far from being straightforward. The convention is a constitutional document of the IOMed and lays the foundation for its future development. I believe professionals and officials who will be involved in mediations taking place in the IOMed are all interested in the content of the convention. As a legal practitioner, I am keen to know how the IOMed will provide mediation services and the scope of cases it will cover. Meanwhile, mediation procedure, legal effect and how to enforce mediation agreements under the IOMed are also of utmost importance.

As the Belt and Road Initiative has made remarkable progress in recent years, coupled with a rapid rise in volumes of trade between countries in the Global South, the Hong Kong SAR is certainly the ideal place to base the IOMed in terms of geographical location, legal system, professional services and logistical support.

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In the event of two countries having a dispute, Hong Kong is a well-developed metropolis with a top-notch police force and is able to offer a neutral and safe environment for diplomats to conduct negotiations. Imagine if Russia and Ukraine were willing to have someone reliable to mediate their disputes, the IOMed would surely be regarded as a highly suitable venue.

The decision to set up the IOMed in Hong Kong is an excellent gift endowed by the central government. Not only does it reflect how our rule of law and infrastructure are highly regarded, it is very prestigious for the headquarters of an international organization to be situated in Hong Kong. The establishment of the IOMed will enhance the image of Hong Kong despite the smear tactics used by some anti-China politicians in the West. There will also be various ancillary benefits to follow, including business prospects in such sectors as the hospitality and food and beverage industries, as well as job opportunities for professionals like lawyers, interpreters and financial analysts. We should be eternally grateful that Beijing chose to make the SAR the headquarters of IOMed.

The author is a practicing solicitor in Hong Kong, specializing in criminal law and cross-boundary legal matters between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.