Speech by DSJ at International Symposium on Global Corporate Restructuring Center

Following are the opening remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung kwok-kwan, at the International Symposium on Global Corporate Restructuring Center today (July 6):

The Honourable Professor Leung (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Deputy to the National People’s Congress, Member of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council, Professor Priscilla Leung) , Dr Sun Jin (Director-General of the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my honour to join this International Symposium on Global Corporate Restructuring Centre. We all know that today’s global economy is interconnected yet volatile. In order to maintain financial stability and investor confidence, we must keep abreast with market changes and cope with the need of cross-border businesses.

Corporate restructuring is inherently a crucial strategic tool wielded in financial distress, which is vital for survival, renewal and resilience of the businesses. Indeed, successful restructuring preserves value of the businesses. Successful restructuring protects jobs of the employees. Successful restructuring instills confidence of the creditors. In short, successful corporate restructuring allows businesses to navigate adversity and becomes stronger for sustainable growth.

Hong Kong is unique in the sense that it is the only common law jurisdiction in China and is deeply integrated with the Mainland market. It is therefore ideally positioned as a global centre for corporate restructuring. Now, I would like to outline how Hong Kong’s legal system delivers unparalleled advantages for business and investment, corporate restructuring and dispute resolution across Asia and beyond.

The Foundation: “one country, two systems” and Common Law

Hong Kong’s distinctiveness lies in the framework of “one country, two systems”, which preserves the common law system which is highly regarded by international community and reinforce our unique position to bridge the East and the West. This is not just theoretical – it translates into tangible expertise through our 13 000 solicitors and barristers, 560 Hong Kong lawyers licensed to practice in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as 1 500 registered foreign lawyers, many of whom are multilingual and qualified in multiple jurisdictions. The accounting profession also plays a crucial role in corporate restructuring. We currently have over 6 500 establishments providing accounting, auditing and tax consultancy services. The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants boasts a membership of over 47 000, who are recognised globally in such diverse places as Australia, Canada, England and Wales, South Africa etc.

What does this mean? When international investors face cross-border restructuring or insolvency, they can count on our professionals who master common law principles and international standard as well as the complexities of the Mainland market.

Connectivity: Mutual Legal Assistance

Such expertise is amplified by Hong Kong’s unmatched connectivity with the Mainland, offering effective pathways through nine mutual legal assistance arrangements in civil and commercial matters.

Consider this: a European investor restructuring a Mainland-based joint venture could gain critical tools simply by choosing Hong Kong.

Firstly, in assets preservation, businesses may obtain Mainland court orders to freeze assets or preserve evidence — a relief which is not available for arbitration seated in common law jurisdiction other than Hong Kong.

Secondly, in direct enforcement: Businesses may enforce Hong Kong arbitral awards and court judgments in the Mainland, the coverage of which is the widest globally, including judgments on intellectual property rights which are not covered in international conventions.

Thirdly, streamlined restructuring and liquidation: A Hong Kong-appointed liquidator can access Mainland courts in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Xiamen to take control of the company’s assets and records in the Mainland, facilitating an effective corporate restructuring or at times, winding up.

This seamless integration makes Hong Kong the optimal choice for business and investment and also cross-border restructuring with Mainland elements.

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and the New Era of Mediation

Our advantages also extend to dispute resolution. The evidence is compelling — Hong Kong ranked globally number two as an arbitration seat under the 2025 Queen Mary University of London and White & Case International Arbitration Survey; last year, over 76 per cent of the cases handled by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre were international, with claims averaging HK$375 million, reflecting international trust in Hong Kong’s role in high-stakes cases.

We recognise that modern challenges require diverse solutions, which is why we are promoting mediation in the Greater Bay Area. The recent establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong highlights this commitment, as the city positions itself as the capital of mediation.

In terms of local capacity building, we have generally mandated mediation clauses in government contracts and have been enhancing training of mediators.

For regional integration, we are closely collaborating with our GBA partners to deploy Hong Kong mediation organisations to handle commercial mediation cases as referred to by the GBA courts; export Hong Kong’s best practice to develop GBA standard, including specialised mediation rules; and establish a unified GBA Mediators Panel for cross-border expertise.

The Greater Bay Area: Where Policies Meet Practice

These initiatives reflect Hong Kong’s strategic role in the GBA. Innovative policies have created unprecedented opportunities.

For example, a Shenzhen company with Hong Kong shareholders of any investment ratio can now choose Hong Kong law to govern contracts, and choose Hong Kong as the arbitration seat. And the impact is visible: international investors can benefit from comprehensive legal protection under Hong Kong’s common law regime while navigating in Mainland’s dynamic markets with certainty and efficiency.

In an era of growing complexity, businesses need to anchor in a jurisdiction that offers stability and connectivity. Hong Kong delivers precisely this – a common law system integrated with the world’s second largest economy, powered by world-class professionals conversant in global commerce and a robust and reliable dispute resolution mechanism.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure you would fully explore the China advantages and the international advantages offered by Hong Kong in today’s Symposium. The Government will continue to solidify Hong Kong’s role as the premier global hub for business and investment. We support business ventures at every stage – from set-up, financing, management and operation to disputes resolution and restructuring.

On this note, I wish this Symposium every success. Thank you very much.

LD reminds employers and employees to take heat stroke preventive measures in times of Heat Stress at Work Warning

​As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.