By Wilson Shum Ho-kit
Earlier this month, I attended the opening of the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People, where Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report. The report showcased many encouraging achievements and inspiring goals. I am deeply confident that Hong Kong's economy will continue to thrive with the steadfast support of our motherland.
A particularly noteworthy highlight is the draft national development plan released on 5 March, which for the first time has been explicitly stipulated in law. This marks an important step in advancing China's national governance under the principle of the rule of law. The Five-Year Plan also calls upon Hong Kong and Macao to proactively align with the nation's broader developmental strategy, reflecting Beijing's dedicated attention and expectations for the cities' futures. In the coming years, Hong Kong must continue to pursue ambitious targets that serve the mainland's developmental needs.
Under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, Hong Kong's unique common law system and its international advantages position it to play a pivotal role in the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030)—particularly in the legal sphere. The plan emphasizes improving the legal system for foreign-related matters and strengthening international commercial mediation and arbitration mechanisms. Hong Kong is well-equipped to integrate with these efforts by leveraging its world-class legal infrastructure and internationally recognized dispute resolution services. This would not only enhance China's global legal cooperation capacity but also support Chinese enterprises as they expand abroad under the "going global" strategy.
Talent development will also be key. The Hong Kong International Legal Talent Training Academy has already provided training for more than 2,000 professionals from the mainland, Belt and Road regions, and other jurisdictions. Hong Kong should continue to align with the national goal of building a high-level talent hub by nurturing foreign-related legal specialists and strengthening the nation's rule of law capacity. At the same time, the city can deepen strategic cooperation with mainland law firms through mutual recognition of qualifications and cross-border partnerships in the Greater Bay Area. Collaborations in areas such as the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone can enhance legal and intellectual property support for enterprises, helping them mitigate operational risks.
From a policy perspective, Hong Kong's full support for the development of the Northern Metropolis provides another opportunity for synergy. This can be realized through dedicated legislation consistent with the city's strategic positioning under the national plan—enhancing its role as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, as well as a hub for intellectual property and innovation. Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, facilitating interconnectivity in legal services and dispute resolution will be vital to strengthening the region's business environment and contributing more broadly to the Belt and Road Initiative.
Through these measures, Hong Kong can continue to embody the principle of "leveraging its strengths to serve the country's needs." Especially in this inaugural year of the new plan, concrete actions in legislation, institutional development, and professional training will help consolidate the city's status as an international legal and dispute resolution center in the Asia-Pacific region—contributing uniquely to the nation's progress in building a stronger rule of law.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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