The Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Wong Yan Lung, SC, visited San Francisco and officiated at the 20th anniversary celebration on September 18, 2006.

In congratulating the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco on its 20th anniversary, Mr. Wong said that the Office had done a marvelous job over the past two decades in strengthening Hong Kong’s economic, trade and investment ties with the important economies of California and other Western states.

“It also plays a significant role in promoting understanding and appreciation of Hong Kong in the United States through various exchanges and cultural programs,” he continued.

Secretary Wong’s visit to San Francisco started with a meeting with the Bar Association of San Francisco, followed by an address at a luncheon organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco and the Hong Kong Association of Northern California.

Mr. Wong also spoke at a seminar at the School of Law, University of California, Berkeley.

Speaking on Hong Kong’s legal system and services at the luncheon, Mr. Wong emphasized that Hong Kong occupies a unique position when it comes to doing business in China.

“This is primarily attributable to the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong, which commands the essential trust and confidence among international investors,” said Mr. Wong.

“Hong Kong is the only territory in the world and in world history, where a capitalist economy operated on the common law exists as an inseparable part of socialist country with an entire different legal system,” he continued.

Mr. Wong also stressed that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is determined to maintain Hong Kong as an international city, by complying with the highest international standards in various pursuits and participating actively as a member of the international community.

“In terms of protection of intellectual property rights, Hong Kong has established an effective legal framework for the protection of intellectual property rights which fully meets our obligations under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. We also keep our legislation under constant review to make it in line with international developments,” commented Mr. Wong.

Since 1997, Hong Kong has negotiated and concluded some 140 bilateral agreements with foreign governments. Over 200 multilateral treaties continue to apply to Hong Kong and almost 80 of these multilateral agreements do not apply to the Mainland of China. These bilateral and multilateral agreements cover a wide range of subjects such as air services, merchant shipping, investment promotion and protection, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, surrender of fugitive offenders, transfer of sentenced persons, trafficking in narcotic drugs, human rights protection and private international law.

Mr. Wong further commented on the close legal cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland. “One Country, Two Systems means greater opportunities and mutual benefit.”

Mr. Wong noted that awards made by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center are enforceable on the Mainland, and in all contracting states of the New York Convention.

“It is not just international corporations that find comfort in the depth and breadth of experience we have in our legal sector. Mainland parties also find there are benefits in using Hong Kong as a dispute resolution center,” said Mr. Wong.

“Rule of law, clean governance, free flow of capital and information, level playing field, a simple and low tax regime, minimum government interference, and close ties with Mainland China make Hong Kong an ideal place for doing business and a perfect springboard to the China market. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco will continue to serve as a bridge between Hong Kong and the western part of the United States, and endeavor to enhance the business and cultural links between the two places,” said Ms Doris Cheung, Director, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in San Francisco at the cocktail reception.