Page 133 - 大舜基金（十周年紀念特刊）

Make our mark in Greater Bay Area The Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay

with the rule of law Area development drive market growth and bring
new opportunities to the economy. In particular,
Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic took a the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-
toll on the global economy. Nevertheless, with Hong
Kong’s strong legal foundation and its unwavering Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area states the
adherence to the rule of law, the city’s status as an central government’s clear support for Hong Kong
international financial and dispute resolution centre in becoming an international legal and dispute
remains intact. As a matter of fact, Hong Kong resolution service centre in the Asia-Pacific
achieved top places in a number of international
rankings. Just to name a few, Hong Kong: region, as well as a service centre for making
a) ranks fifth in the 2020 The Global Financial Centres deals and resolving investment and commercial
Index (which quantifies the competitiveness of disputes relating to Belt and Road projects. Last
financial centres in the world) released by Z/Yen year, the Standing Committee of the National
Group;
b) ranks seventeenth in the 2021 Global Opportunity People’s Congress passed the decision on
Index published by Milken Institute; authorising the State Council on the implementation
c) ranks third in “Ease of doing business ranking” of pilot measures for Hong Kong and Macau
featured in Doing Business 2020 released by legal practitioners to obtain Mainland practice
World Bank Group; qualifications and to practise as lawyers in the
d) ranks third in the Global Competitiveness Index
of The Global Competitiveness Report 2019 nine municipalities in the Greater Bay Area. The
published by the World Economic Forum; announcement opened up channels for outstanding
e) ranks fifth in the IMD World Competitiveness local lawyers to expand businesses in the region,
Ranking 2020 released by Institute for Management offering great convenience and opportunities for
Development;
f) ranks fourth as a global city in terms of competitiveness Hong Kong’s industries.
in Overall 2025 City Competitiveness rankings by the
think tank The Economist; The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s
g) ranks second in GlobalEDGE Insights Market success as a major international business and
Potential Index (MPI) 2020; and
th
h) ranks 16 among 126 countries and jurisdictions financial centre. It has earned widespread respect
in terms of general level of rule of law in Rule from jurisdictions worldwide in which Hong Kong
of Law Index 2020 released by World Justice takes pride in. As a member of the legal profession,
Project. I am confident in the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The city’s judicial and legal system will continue
In these rankings, Hong Kong has consistently
demonstrated distinctive strengths in category to uphold the rule of law and fulfil its functions in
indices like the rule of law, infrastructure accordance with the principle of “One Country,
development, business environment and financial Two Systems” under the Basic Law. Hong Kong’s
market access. Hong Kong has a sound legal unique advantages remain and are expanding in
framework, including comprehensive commercial
case law and stringent commercial and property law. support of the city’s position as a as an international
Hong Kong also has a complete and sound system financial and commercial centre, as well as a legal
for the making, protection and enforcement of law. and dispute resolution service hub. I also hope
Hong Kong maintains an open legal market and an that legal practitioners, as well as Hong Kong’s
extensive international legal network. As a legal
service and dispute resolution hub, Hong Kong has enterprises and professional services, will seize the
been and remains one of the most popular seats for opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative,
international arbitration. These advantages provide and leverage our strengths to continue to reinforce
the comfort that Hong Kong offers a fair, just and Hong Kong’s status as an important platform for the
transparent business environment for international Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the
investors to engage in business transactions in or
through Hong Kong. Greater Bay Area.

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