AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) warmly welcomed a delegation of senior members of Justice Bureau of Guangzhou Municipality, Guangzhou Arbitration Commission, and Guangzhou Lawyers Association. The delegation was led by Mr. Lai Zhigang, Deputy Director-General of the Guangzhou Committee on Rule of Law and First-Class Inspector of Justice Bureau of Guangzhou Municipality.
Mr. Nicholas Chan Hiu-Fung, BBS, MH, JP, Director of AALCO-HKRAC, and Mr. Dennis Cai, Deputy Director of AALCO-HKRAC, extended a warm welcome to the delegation.
Director Chan delivered a presentation highlighting the Centre’s unique position as the first and only arbitration centre established under international law. Supported by AALCO’s 49 member states, the Centre has pioneered several key initiatives, including promoting arbitration for peaceful commercial dispute resolution across Asia and Africa, and developing specialised services in:
- B2B & B2G international arbitration
- Sports Arbitration and Mediation
- Construction Adjudication
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).
He also emphasised the Centre’s commitment and efforts to leveraging LawTech to enhance access to justice.
Both sides held substantive discussions on international arbitration cooperation, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the advancement of the rule of law.
Strengthening Collaboration for Arbitration Development
Deputy Director-General Lai Zhigang commended the strategic importance of AALCO’s establishment of its regional arbitration center in Hong Kong. He emphasized that this initiative not only enhances competition in arbitration services but also fulfills a historic mission to promote legal cooperation across Asia and Africa. Mr. Lai recognized AALCO-HKRAC’s accomplishments and expressed optimism for deeper collaboration to foster innovation in international dispute resolution.
Leveraging Hong Kong’s Advantages for Mutual Development
AALCO-HKRAC reaffirmed its commitment to exploring cooperative opportunities with the Justice Bureau of Guangzhou Municipality, capitalizing on Hong Kong’s unique position as an international legal and arbitration hub. The Centre aims to serve as a platform for nurturing China’s international legal professionals.
Following the meeting, Director Chan guided the delegation on a tour of the Centre’s new premises – the heritage-listed Former French Mission Building (located on Government Hill at 1, Battery Path, Central, Hong Kong. It housed the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong from 1997 -2015) – a landmark in the legal history of Hong Kong.
