A newly established international mediation body headquartered in Hong Kong can contribute to improving the world’s legal system, mainland China’s vice-foreign minister has said.

Hua Chunying also highlighted on Monday the short time it took for the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) – the world’s first intergovernmental body dedicated to mediation – to become operational. She said this showed strong support from the international community for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Hua was in Hong Kong to officiate at the inauguration ceremony of the IOMed, where the city’s former justice minister, Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, was appointed as the first secretary general.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also stressed the importance of international mediation, saying that it was “indispensable” amid global instability.

Hua said in her address: “[IOMed’s] establishment offers a new platform in the field of international rule of law. The IOMed upholds reconciliation, collaboration and harmony.

“It stresses the autonomy of the parties concerned, champions equal consultation and pursues win-win collaboration.”