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2026
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly condemned malicious attacks, smears and slanders by external forces following the sentencing of defendants in the “Hong Kong Alliance” subversion incitement case. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government expressed strong dissatisfaction with various western countries, anti-China media, overseas organisations, politicians and others for making such attacks. It said certain individuals had exploited national security cases to fabricate lies and scaremongering remarks and to launch attacks against the rule of law, human rights and other aspects of the Hong Kong SAR. It urged them to recognise objective facts and stop making despicable, politically motivated attacks. The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that, as it has stressed on multiple occasions, human rights in Hong Kong are robustly guaranteed both by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law. Specifically, Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL) and Section 2 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in the process of safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR; and that the rights and freedoms Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law, and under the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong SAR Government added, however, that – as in other places in the world – such rights and freedoms are not absolute. The ICCPR expressly states that certain rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, may be subject to restrictions, as prescribed by law, that are necessary for the protection of national security, public safety and public order, or the rights and freedoms of others. The statement outlined that in recent years, western countries have continuously generalised the concept of national security, intimidating individuals and enterprises engaged in legitimate activities, and suppressing dissidents. It said western governments and politicians have failed to reflect on their own actions, and that their institutions and media have turned a blind eye. External forces, it added, have adopted double standard in attacking the Hong Kong SAR for fulfilling its duty to safeguard national security in strict adherence with the rule of law. Highlighting that people with ulterior motives have used the “Hong Kong Alliance” case to attack “one country, two systems”, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable and indisputable part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which always provides the strongest support to Hong Kong. It added that that “one country, two systems” has enabled Hong Kong to successfully overcome various challenges, and that the more firmly the “one country” principle is upheld, the greater the strength of “two systems”. It said national security is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and that safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests constitute the highest principle of “one country, two systems”. The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the law never allows anyone to harm their country and compatriots under the pretext of human rights, democracy and freedom. Regardless of the nature of the case, it said, the court arrived at its verdict and sentencing in strict accordance with relevant laws and evidence, fairly and impartially, free from any interference, and absolutely without any political considerations. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from the legal consequences of their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, it added. Moreover, it emphasised that no country’s constitution would allow citizens to subvert the constitutional order and fundamental system of the country established by the Constitution. As stated in the court’s reasoning, the Constitution is the “fundamental law” above any other laws of the state and “has supreme legal authority”. The Constitution is also the constitution of the Hong Kong SAR and the foundation for its laws. The Constitution and the Basic Law jointly establish the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR. The basic and core components of the Constitution, such as those relating to constitutional order, national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, all apply to the Hong Kong SAR. “Leadership by the Communist Party of China (CPC)”, outlined in the Constitution, is the core of the “fundamental system” it establishes. Under the Constitution, overthrowing or undermining the leadership status of the CPC is tantamount to overthrowing or undermining the “fundamental system” of the PRC to which Article 22 of the HKNSL refers. The Hong Kong SAR Government also outlined that incitement to subversion is an extremely serious offence. It said the conviction and sentencing in this case fully reflect the criminal responsibilities of the defendants and serve a strong deterrent effect. The court’s reasons for its verdict give full details of the legal principles involved, the evidence admitted, and the considerations involved in the convictions. As regards the length of the sentences for individual defendants, the court’s reasons for these are clearly set out in its considerations for sentencing, including various reasons for determining that the case involves “an offense of a serious nature”. The court said the defendants had shown hostility towards the CPC and the central government, and resisted the latter and refused to make any compromise. It said that after the implementation of the HKNSL, the defendants refused to pull back from the brink and were bent on embracing resistance to the very end, even though they knew that what they had said and done might have already gone beyond the scope of lawful freedom of expression. The court added that the defendants intended to cause others to lose confidence in the CPC by stirring up hostility and causing division, thereby undermining the fundamental system of the PRC. The court also emphasised that the HKNSL had no retrospective effect and that the defendants were put on trial not because of their political ideology or their conduct before the HKNSL. It said they were convicted solely on the basis that they had committed acts prohibited under the HKNSL after the law came into effect. The Hong Kong SAR Government said this case and other recent court rulings on various cases in connection with offences endangering national security serve as solid evidence that the HKNSL and other relevant laws for safeguarding national security are capable of preventing, suppressing and punishing all offences endangering national security. Without this strong legal barrier against criminals, it added, Hong Kong and China will suffer significant harms, carrying unimaginable consequences. The statement added that it is the common obligation of all the people of China, including Hong Kong compatriots, to safeguard the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the PRC. It said Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, is committed to ensuring that laws are observed and strictly enforced, and will spare no effort in preventing, suppressing and punishing acts and activities that endanger national security.
Chief Executive John Lee said today that the law never allows anyone to openly harm their own country and compatriots by employing confounding tactics under the pretext of human rights, democracy and freedom. Mr Lee made his remarks following the sentencing of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance and related figures Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung, who were charged with incitement to subversion under Article 23 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). The Court of First Instance handed down its sentences today. Chow Hang-tung received seven years and three months in prison, while Lee Cheuk-yan was sentenced to seven years. Ho Chun-yan, who had previously pleaded guilty, was given five years and two months. Additionally, the Hong Kong Alliance was fined $1,500,000. The court ruled that the present case was of a serious nature, pointing out that although the HKNSL had been implemented at the material time, some individuals were still unwilling to accept the exercise of sovereignty by the state over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, nor were they willing to accept the constitutional order established by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law. The court noted that the defendants engaged in criminal acts of incitement amid a turbulent and unsettled social atmosphere, putting national security and public order at greater risk. The defendants possessed mobilising power and influence in Hong Kong. Their criminal activities persisted for as long as 14 months and were committed through various activities and online platforms. The relevant activities were citywide with an extensive reach, influencing people of different age groups, and their potential harm must not be underestimated. Despite the defendants' knowledge that their agenda might be in breach of the Constitution and the HKNSL, they recalcitrantly pursued their course of conduct after the HKNSL came into effect, vigorously advocating and promoting their premeditated agenda. The court reiterated in its reasons for sentencing that the HKNSL had no retrospective effect and that the defendants were put on trial not because of their political ideology or their conduct before the HKNSL. They were convicted solely on the basis that they had committed acts prohibited under the HKNSL after the HKNSL came into effect. Mr Lee said that the court pointed out clearly in its reasons for the verdict of conviction handed down earlier that the very aim of the alliance's agendas was to overthrow and undermine the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) under the Constitution. The defendants intended to cause others to lose confidence in the CPC by stirring up hostility and causing division, so as to achieve the objective of undermining the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China (PRC). He said that after the implementation of the HKNSL, the defendants refused to pull back from the brink and were bent on acting wilfully, attempting to make use of the alliance to subvert state power. “This case shows that anyone who intends to incite subversion and endanger national security will ultimately be punished in accordance with the law, and such acts will absolutely not be tolerated," Mr Lee said. “As pointed out by the court in the reasons for verdict, what the defendants did in this case had already gone beyond the scope of lawful freedom of expression, and constituted acts of inciting others to subvert state power by unlawful means. “The sentences today demonstrate the court's confirmation that the offences committed by the defendants were extremely serious and warrant severe punishment to uphold the rule of law,” he added. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that Article 1 of the Constitution expressly prohibits any organisation or individual from damaging the socialist system. Article 22 of the HKNSL explicitly prohibits anyone from organising, planning, committing or participating in acts by force, threat of force or other unlawful means with a view to subverting state power, such as overthrowing or undermining the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution, or overthrowing the body of central power of the PRC. Under the Constitution, overthrowing or undermining the leadership status of the CPC is tantamount to overthrowing or undermining the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution to which Article 22 of the HKNSL refers. The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that it has taken note that various western countries, anti-China organisations, politicians and foreign media have recently launched malicious attacks and smears on various cases including this case. It has reiterated on multiple occasions, just as the court has stated clearly, that the defendants in this case were put on trial not because of their political views or beliefs. The court will only consider the laws and evidence relevant to the case to decide whether the prosecution is able to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants received a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong, as guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, free from any interference. The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that it has the responsibility to safeguard national security, and will resolutely combat acts and activities endangering national security. In this regard, it will ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, and to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.
The Court of First Instance today handed down its sentences against the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance and related figures, with Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung stating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government considers the ruling manifests that justice is done and safeguards the city's core values. Meeting the media today, Mr Tang said that the Alliance's objective was to overthrow the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China under the Constitution. He noted that the group conducted public activities over a long period with the intent to sow hatred against the CPC and the central government in Hong Kong society, while inciting others to subvert state power. Such acts, he stressed, must be deterred in accordance with the law. Mr Tang said the court reiterated that the defendants were not tried for their political ideology, words or deeds prior to the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), but were convicted solely for unlawful acts committed during the charge period. He highlighted that the sentence also explicitly set out six reasons why the case was of a serious nature. First, at the material time of the case, some individuals were still unwilling to accept the exercise of sovereignty by the state over the Hong Kong SAR, nor were they willing to accept the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law. The defendants engaged in inciting words and deeds amid a turbulent and unsettled social atmosphere, placing national security and public order at greater risk. Second, the defendants' criminal conduct was not an isolated incident, persisting for a period as long as 14 months. They committed the offence through various activities and on various social media platforms. Additionally, the defendants possessed mobilising power and influence, with the impact of their words and deeds on the general public far exceeding that of lesser-known individuals. Their activities were city-wide with an extensive reach, influencing people of different age groups, and their potential harm must not be underestimated. Lastly, despite the defendants' belief that their agenda might be in breach of the Constitution and the HKNSL, they still persistently pursued their course of conduct, which was premeditated. Mr Tang stressed that safeguarding national security is an obligation of all Hong Kong citizens and the constitutional responsibility of the Hong Kong SAR. “The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to effectively prevent, suppress and punish acts endangering national security in accordance with the law, ensuring the steadfast and successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems'," he said.
The Buildings Department (BD) and the Labour Department (LD) have filed a total of 284 prosecutions over the Wang Fuk Court fire incident in Tai Po, comprising 259 repair work-related offences and 25 occupational safety charges. The BD today laid charges for a total of 259 offences against four persons and two companies in connection with the major building repair works at Wang Fuk Court, where a fire broke out on November 26 last year. The two companies charged are the works consultancy firm, Will Power Architects Company Limited (Will Power), and the main contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, Limited (Prestige). The four individuals charged include Will Power director Wong Hap-yin and registered inspector Ng Yeuk, alongside Prestige directors Hau Wa-kin and Ho Kin-yip. Following the incident, the BD and the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Housing Bureau investigated the major repair works at the estate. Based on the ICU’s findings of irregularities and after seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the BD laid the charges under the Buildings Ordinance (BO). The charges include allegedly permitting or authorising the use of materials in building works that are defective or do not comply with the provisions of the BO; permitting or authorising building works and inspections to be carried out in a manner causing injury to any person or damage to property; and failing to properly supervise repair works, among other contraventions. The BD once again reminded contractors and relevant building works practitioners to properly supervise inspections and building works in accordance with the BO and its subsidiary regulations and the relevant Codes of Practice to ensure suitable materials are used and works are carried out safely. Meanwhile, the LD has initiated at this stage a total of 25 prosecutions regarding the fire incident which caused the death of five construction contractor employees, following consultation with the Department of Justice. The prosecutions were brought against a contractor, a project consultant and an individual, by way of indictment under the Factories & Industrial Undertakings Ordinance for general duty contraventions. The LD emphasised that it does not tolerate contraventions of occupational safety and health legislation, and will strictly enforce the law.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy and the Ministry of Commerce, the inaugural Training Course on International Trade and International Investment Legal Practice commenced today. The course aims to enhance capacity in "foreign-related rule of law". Addressing its opening ceremony, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said that Hong Kong, as an international centre for finance, trade and professional services, has long maintained close trade and export ties with the Mainland and markets around the world. He said the course will allow participants to strengthen their capabilities in tackling emerging risks and challenges, acquaint themselves with fast-moving policies and market developments, engage in exchanges with international counterparts, work to safeguard the interests of economies, and seize opportunities in an increasingly complex global landscape. Participants on the course include 20 senior experts from the Ministry of Commerce specialising in international negotiations and policy formulation, as well as dozens of other officials from the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The five-day programme covers topics such as the evolving geopolitical landscape for international trade, including export controls and sanctions regimes; emerging trade policy instruments; dispute resolution; technological developments; and legal issues arising from Chinese enterprises "going global". Speakers include Deputy Secretary-General of the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Gabriela Alvarez Avila; a professor specialising in international relations; practitioners from law firms, an accounting firm and an advisory firm; representatives of the Department of Justice and arbitral institutions; a member of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Expert Committee; and representatives from the Trade & Industry Department and the Financial Services Development Council.
The Police Force’s National Security Department arrested three people two days ago on suspicion of committing seditious acts. Police noticed that some people had been standing outside the MTR Prince Edward Station holding bouquets and shouting seditious slogans on the evening of August 31. The arrestees include two local men and one local woman, aged between 33 and 79. They are suspected of spreading false information and attacking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government with lies, as well as smearing the Police Force, with the intention of inciting hatred against the Hong Kong SAR Government and law enforcement agencies. Police arrested them for the offence of "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention", contravening the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. All arrestees have been detained for further enquiries. Police stressed that the "831 incident" has been proven to be without factual basis, pointing out that it is a lie manipulated by people with ulterior motives to spread lies, attack the Hong Kong SAR Government and smear the Police Force, attempting to achieve their political objectives by endangering public peace. They highlighted that the acts concerned are suspected of breaching "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention", which is a serious crime. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction.
The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau is inviting a new round of applications under the Constitution & Basic Law Promotion Activity & Research Sponsorship Scheme. The scheme aims to strengthen public comprehension and support for the Constitution, the Basic Law, the National Security Law, and the “one country, two systems” principle. With the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland approaching in 2027, priority will be given to proposals for innovative, large-scale educational activities themed around the milestone anniversary. The deadline for applications is November 13. Click here for details or call 2810 2106 for enquiries.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) welcomed the passage of amendments to the Lawyers Law of the People's Republic of China by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) yesterday. The amendments will take effect from Tuesday. Article 62 of the amended Lawyers Law states that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao SAR legal practitioners who pass the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Legal Professional Examination, administered by the judicial administration department of the State Council, and who obtain a Mainland practice qualification, can practise in stipulated areas of law in the Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing municipalities of Guangdong. The State Council's judicial administration department also laid out enrolment requirements for the examination, application procedures for lawyers to practise, and the scope of practice allowed. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam stated that the amended Lawyers Law makes clear provision for the GBA lawyers' scheme, thus providing a legal basis for the regularisation of the practice regime. “I warmly welcome the amendments and express my sincere gratitude to authorities such as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for their strong support to the development of the GBA lawyers' scheme. Since the NPCSC's authorisation of the State Council to conduct a pilot scheme for GBA lawyers, the professional team of GBA lawyers has been growing continuously, contributing efforts to the country's building of the rule of law. “The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline calls for deepening the construction of the GBA and accelerating the development of an international first-class bay area. GBA lawyers with dual practice qualifications can facilitate the interfaces of mechanisms and regulatory frameworks in the GBA, as well as proactively integrating into and contributing to the overall national development.” The NPCSC decided in August 2020 to authorise the State Council to conduct a pilot scheme for a period of three years. The pilot period would have originally expired in October 2023 but was extended in August 2023 until October 4 of this year. By June of this year, over 650 Hong Kong and Macau lawyers had obtained the Lawyer's License (GBA) and could provide legal services in the GBA's nine Mainland municipalities on specified civil and commercial matters in which Mainland laws apply. GBA lawyers currently appear in court as litigation representatives in the GBA's nine Mainland municipalities and take up GBA arbitration cases. The DoJ will continue to maintain close contact with authorities such as the MoJ and Guangdong's Department of Justice, in order to support and complement work to regularise the GBA lawyers' scheme.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today conducted a second cross-boundary stress test at the Huanggang Port in collaboration with relevant Shenzhen units, with over 20,000 civil servants participating. The drill focused on testing peak carrying capacity by further increasing passenger and vehicular flows. It marked the first test of joint one-stop vehicle lanes for vehicle clearance. Automobile associations, other associations, and chambers of commerce were invited to assist in recruiting private vehicles permitted to travel between the two places. The vehicles participated in cyclical trials, with more than 1,000 vehicle trips being made to test the operation of the lane systems and vehicular flow management. Participating vehicles were instructed to enter the port through the new connecting road in batches. They underwent risk assessment at the customs front kiosk, then entered the joint one-stop vehicle lanes for five-party inspection, completing clearance procedures for the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection and Shenzhen Customs, as well as Hong Kong's Customs & Excise Department, Department of Health and Immigration Department. This was carried out using integrated information collection devices next to the lanes, and involved the collection of body temperature and travel document data, as well as facial features and fingerprints. The drill also simulated scenarios such as passengers disembarking and proceeding to the immigration clearance hall, as well as vehicles being selected at the customs front kiosks to proceed to the inspection area for inspections. Vehicles participating in the drill first departed and then returned to the Hong Kong Port Area via the Shenzhen side's vehicle clearance level. To assess the port's capacity under sustained ultra-high passenger flows, over 20,000 civil servants from more than 70 bureaus and departments were mobilised. Participants were instructed to take various public transport options to arrive at the port. They passed through the collaborative inspection automated channels or manual counters to depart from the Hong Kong Port Area. After returning from the Shenzhen side, they left the port by taking vehicles dispatched by public transport operators, undergoing cyclical trials involving more than 600 departures. The stress test also advanced the "crowd concentrated-flow test" by releasing large batches of people several times within a short period of time to create greater crowd pressure. This simulated a situation where a large number of passengers arrive in Hong Kong via the Huanggang Port during peak hours and take different public transport options, including franchised buses, minibuses, cross-boundary coaches, and taxis, at the public transport interchange. The Fire Services Department also conducted a fire drill, simulating an electric vehicle catching fire. Personnel from the Huanggang Fire Station fought the fire with water jets and used specialised equipment such as high-pressure fog applicators and fire blankets to extinguish the blaze. Ambulance personnel were also on-site to treat the injured. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung inspected the drill on-site and held a meeting with participating departments immediately afterwards to review procedures and participants' feedback. Meetings will be arranged between the relevant Hong Kong and Shenzhen units to review and identify areas for improvement in the management of passenger and vehicular traffic, emergency response arrangements and collaborative mechanisms, in order to ensure the port's safe and smooth operation and a positive passenger experience. To support travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland for Hong Kong residents, both places will implement an arrangement allowing Hong Kong residents who hold both Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, commonly known as the Home Visit Permit, and a Hong Kong identity card, to choose to use either their identity card or Home Visit Permit at the first gate in the collaborative inspection automated channels, in order to complete immigration clearance procedures for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, regardless of whether they are travelling northbound or southbound. Representatives from various bureaus, departments and organisations participated in the drill, including the Security Bureau, the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Police Force, the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Immigration Department, the Customs & Excise Department, the Department of Health, the Fire Services Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, the Government Property Agency, the Digital Policy Office, the Office of the Communications Authority, the Food& Environmental Hygiene Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, the Civil Aid Service, and the Auxiliary Medical Service. Various public transport operators also participated.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam led a cross-professional delegation comprising members of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution sectors, as well as the financial and accounting sectors, as they continued their visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, today, deepening legal co-operation between the two places. This morning, Mr Lam met Minister of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akbar Djurabayevich Tashkulov. Mr Lam explained how Hong Kong's advantages of being connected to the Chinese Mainland and the world, as well as its common law system, can assist Uzbek enterprises in expanding into Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and international markets. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two sides to enhance collaboration between Uzbekistan's Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. This will include exchanges on legal frameworks and policies regarding dispute resolution, as well as sharing of experiences in the application of AI technology in the legal sector. Mr Lam then attended a lunch hosted by the Uzbek Ministry of Justice. In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the Center for Islamic Civilization to learn about local efforts in cultural preservation, academic research and education promotion. On Thursday morning, Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Tashkent State University of Law and met its senior management to discuss legal talent training and exchanges. Mr Lam then attended a lunch with Mayor of Tashkent City Umurzakov Shavkat Buranovich to introduce Hong Kong's distinctive institutional advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle and explore opportunities for co-operation. In the afternoon, Mr Lam and the delegation met representatives from the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce for Chinese Entrepreneurs and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Uzbekistan. Director of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre Diana Bayzakova Hamwi also attended the meeting. Mr Lam introduced Hong Kong's unique advantages and learned about their specific demands for legal services. They also jointly explored ways to strengthen co-operation between the two places to support enterprises in leveraging Hong Kong's professional services to expand into international markets. Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Ministry of Economy & Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan to meet Deputy Minister Abidkhadjaev Umid Kutpitdinovich and Advisor to the Minister Jasur Karshibaev yesterday. They also visited the Ministry of Investment, Industry & Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan to meet Deputy Minister Kasimov Ilzat Ablakhatovich. Mr Lam and the delegation shared Hong Kong's professional experiences in areas such as investment, cross-border trade, commercial and dispute resolution under the common law system, and explored how Hong Kong might help advance the development of the Tashkent International Financial Centre. In the afternoon, Mr Lam and the delegation visited and had a lunch with the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Uzbekistan Yu Jun. They exchanged views on topics including consolidating Hong Kong's role as an international legal hub and strengthening co-operation with international legal and dispute resolution institutions. Mr Lam then met Chairman of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shukhrat Shavkatovich Sadikov to discuss ways to deepen exchanges and collaboration between legal professionals in the two places. In the evening, Mr Lam attended a Uzbekistan Independence Day celebration activity. Mr Lam concluded his visit today and will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.