Hong Kong maritime arbitration - turning vision into action

--“Virtual Forum on the Role of Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration in China’s International Shipping and Trade" was successfully held
 
On 7 January 2021, “Virtual Forum on the Role of Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration in China’s International Shipping and Trade" jointly held by Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG); Dalian Maritime University; Shanghai Maritime University; East China University of Political Science and Law and Ningbo University was brought to a close. There are more than 20 co-organisers for this Forum, including China Maritime Law Association; Hong Kong Maritime Law Association; China Shipowners' Association; Hong Kong Shipowners Association; Department of Justice of HKSAR; Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board; InvestHK; CIETAC Hong Kong Arbitration Centre; China University of Political Science and Law; BIMCO; the Swedish Club; CMAC Hong Kong Arbitration Center; School of Law, University of International Business and Economics; Standard Club; SKULD; The Charterers P&I Club; Dalian Maritime University Hong Kong and Macau Alumni Association; Shanghai Maritime University Hong Kong Alumni Association; Capital Link; Beijing Arbitration Commission/Beijing International Arbitration Centre; the American Club; HKIAC; Renmin University of China Law School; and UK P&I Club. This Forum was chaired by Mr. Li Lianjun, the senior partner of Reed Smith Richards Butler，Member of Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and an arbitrator.

Due to COVID-19, theForum was conducted online. The new platform broke geographical boundaries, and more than 200participants from China, Hong Kong and elsewhere around the worldjoined the Forum online. There are many experts, professors and industry professionals from Hong Kong and mainland China taking part in the discussions of the latest development of the role of Hong Kong maritime arbitration in China’s international shipping and trade. The discussions started off with an introduction of Hong Kong as an international financial, maritime and trade centre. The topics covered also include the opportunities of Hong Kong maritime arbitration offeredby the independent judicial system of Hong Kong, the Belt and Road Initiative andGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
At the opening of the conference, Ms. Teresa Cheng, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Mr. Yang Liang Yee Philip, former vice chairman of the Documentary Committee of the BIMCO and a Full Member of the HKMAG, delivered opening speeches.

Ms. Teresa Cheng,GBS, SC, JP,Secretary for Justice

Also, Mr Danny Mok Sai Kit and Captain Lee Fook Choon, Members of the HKMAG Committee and Full Members of the HKMAGhad a discussion on “BIMCO standard arbitration clause/HKMAG Terms and Practice”

The speeches of the distinguished guests all expressed their optimistic expectations for Hong Kong maritime arbitration. They shared how Hong Kong maritime arbitration should seize new opportunities, combine its strengths, and take advantage of the current international situation.
 
Joint Development of mainland China and Hong Kong
 
Furthermore, under the moderation of Mr. Li Lianjun, senior partner of Reed Smith Richards Butler and Committee Member of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, a number of guests from the maritime industry had a discussion on the topic "Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration and its Role in China's International Shipping and Trade"
 
The participants were Mr. Yang Liang Yee Philip;Ms Julia Ju, Head of claims P&I of the Swedish Club;Ms Wang Meng, Deputy General Manager of Risk Management Department of CSSC Leasing; Mr Gilbert Feng Jiapei, Deputy Director of Hong Kong Shipowners Association; Mr Zhao Qingfeng, Director of the Office and the Shipping Department ofChina Shipowners' Association; Mr. Zheng Biao, Mr. Zheng Biao, Head of Legal Department of Hong Kong division of China COSCO Shipping Bulk; Ms. Zhai Juan, General Manager of Legal Department of China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd.; Mr Edward Liu, Legal Director of Hill Dickinson Hong Kong; Mr Zhang Wenguang, Director of National Center for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Mr Liu Xuan’ang, Assistant General Manager of FDD & TCL Department of China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association; Professor He Lixin, School of Law, Xiamen University; and Mr Fu Benchao, Researcher Professor of Shandong University School of Law, and Former member of the Judicial Committee of Shandong High People's Court and former president of the Third Executive Division of the Executive Bureau.

Taking this Forum as an opportunity, Mainland China and Hong Kong will further accelerate the pace of cooperation with international parties in maritime arbitration, make full use of existing resources and advantages, and combine the latest policy support to carry out innovation and development for Hong Kong maritime arbitration and the promotion of China's international shipping and trade.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.