logo
Hong Kong set to lead in empowering mediation with inclusive technology

Hong Kong set to lead in empowering mediation with inclusive technology

The Star4 hours ago
HONG KONG, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is actively advancing the development of legal technology, including online dispute resolution and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee told an international law colloquium on Friday.
In his address, Lee highlighted that the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), headquartered in Hong Kong, aims to resolve international disputes through mutual respect and understanding.
Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, said that Hong Kong, with its advantages under "one country, two systems," an internationally aligned financial and legal system, and a highly specialized workforce, is well-positioned to play a constructive role in global discussions on AI-related ethical norms, regulation and legal practices.
Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol, secretary-general of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization, said that the Hong Kong-based IOMed is steadily emerging as a new pillar in peaceful dispute resolution, pioneering a model of inclusive multilateralism.
The IOMed innovatively leverages multilingual AI systems and real-time collaborative platforms to empower mediation through inclusive technology, he said.
Legal experts, government officials, and institutional leaders from around the world gathered in Hong Kong on Friday for the annual Colloquium on International Law, marking the UN's 80th anniversary and discussing the impact of technology, especially AI, on international law and order.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Interview: Germany-China partnership crucial amid global challenges, trade expert says
Interview: Germany-China partnership crucial amid global challenges, trade expert says

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Interview: Germany-China partnership crucial amid global challenges, trade expert says

STUTTGART, Germany, July 4 (Xinhua) -- China remains a crucial market for German companies, and the long-standing partnership between the two nations is becoming increasingly significant amid global strategic uncertainties, tariff disputes, and supply chain disruptions, a German trade expert has said. Germany-China partnership is built on trust and mutual respect, and now it is time to further consolidate this cooperation, Roland Bleinroth, chief executive officer of leading German event organizer Messe Stuttgart, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. Describing China as "a very important market" for German companies, Bleinroth emphasized that, given the current global challenges, the Chinese market has become even more vital. According to him, German companies are showing strong confidence in China. The decisions by a wide array of German companies to double down on their investment in China reflect an unwavering commitment to the Chinese market. Messe Stuttgart manages the Stuttgart trade fair center and hosts various exhibitions, trade fairs, congresses, and technical conferences, which have welcomed a multitude of Chinese participants over the past years. Citing the active participation of Chinese exhibitors and visitors at German fairs, as well as robust German engagement in trade shows across China, Bleinroth said that trade exhibitions play a pivotal role in fostering these ties. As key exporters in the world, China and Germany have been championing the idea of globalization and free trade. Bleinroth underscored that globalization, although being unfairly portrayed as a zero-sum game, has actually driven economic growth over the past few decades, and still represents a win-win scenario for all participants in international commerce. Bleinroth expressed concern that this "economic commonsense" is being questioned. With technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics reshaping industries worldwide, he called for closer collaboration between Germany and China to pursue common goals. Looking ahead, Bleinroth said he remains optimistic about the future of Germany-China cooperation. "There are so many things that we can work together on for the common benefit of both sides and also for the rest of the world," he said. "We need to focus on what we can do together," rather than on our differences, he added.

Finland unveils forest growth plan to meet climate goals
Finland unveils forest growth plan to meet climate goals

The Star

time3 hours ago

  • The Star

Finland unveils forest growth plan to meet climate goals

HELSINKI, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Finland has unveiled a wide-ranging plan to boost forest growth and restore the carbon sink capacity of its woodlands, in a bid to meet national climate targets and strengthen long-term forest resilience, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said on Friday. The initiative, part of the government's broader climate strategy, includes legislative reforms, new financial incentives, and targeted support for forest owners. It was developed in consultation with researchers and forestry stakeholders and aligns with the country's National Forest Strategy and Climate Act. "The goal is to promote forest health, growth and carbon sequestration, while also preparing for climate-related risks such as increased forest damage," the ministry said in a statement. Under the plan, the government will revise forest legislation to support faster regeneration and the preservation of forest cover. A working group has been established to draft amendments to the Forest Act and associated decrees. Additional funding will be directed to Metka, the national forestry incentive scheme, to expand ash fertilization of peatlands. The treated area is expected to grow from around 11,000 to 40,000 hectares annually, enhancing forest productivity for up to 30 years with a single application. A new support scheme, to be introduced between 2025 and 2027, will encourage afforestation of abandoned farmland, disused peat production sites, and low-yield peat soils. The package also includes measures to improve forest damage prevention and monitoring. Training will be expanded for landowners and forestry professionals to increase awareness of climate risks, forest breeding techniques, and sustainable management practices. More details on the project themes and timeline are expected in August, the ministry said. Finland is legally committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 under its Climate Act. The country also endorses the European Commission's proposal to cut the European Union's net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels by 2040, under a planned amendment to the European Climate Law.

News Analysis: Egypt embraces Chinese yuan to attract investment, strengthen ties
News Analysis: Egypt embraces Chinese yuan to attract investment, strengthen ties

The Star

time3 hours ago

  • The Star

News Analysis: Egypt embraces Chinese yuan to attract investment, strengthen ties

CAIRO, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is set to allow Chinese firms to register and operate using the Chinese currency, the yuan -- an important step to facilitate investment and enhance economic relations between the two countries, according to Egyptian economic experts. Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El Khatib, recently announced that "Egypt will allow Chinese companies to register using the yuan in financial transactions, under the Central Bank of Egypt's support." The Egyptian investment law generally permits 100 percent foreign ownership in most sectors, according to a statement by the ministry. Licensing Chinese companies to use yuan in Egypt means these firms can open bank accounts in Egyptian banks with the Chinese currency, Waleed Gaballah, a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation, told Xinhua. The move will encourage more Chinese companies to pump investments in Egypt, which will further expand bilateral economic relations by facilitating trade in local currencies, he added. He explained that now the Chinese companies don't have to use mediating currency, such as the U.S. dollars, during transactions. Instead, they can use yuan directly within Egypt and transfer their profits back to China in the same currency. "Yuan succeeded in making a large international presence in payments in recent years," he added. The Egyptian economist reiterated that Egypt took this decision to strengthen economic relations between the two countries and to encourage more Chinese companies to enter the Egyptian market and activate trading in local currencies. Injecting the Egyptian markets with yuan will reduce transaction costs and will help Cairo and Beijing to have direct cooperation, Gaballah added. He expressed hope that increased Chinese investment and local production would help narrow the trade deficit between the two countries and reduce Egypt's reliance on the U.S. dollar in an indirect way. Gamal Bayoumi, head of the Cairo-based Arab Investors Union, hailed the move, given that the yuan is one of the International Monetary Fund's currencies and China is a friendly country to Egypt. He pointed out that Egypt is an important station for the Chinese companies to enter the Arab, African, and European markets. Meanwhile, Diaa Helmy, a member of the Economic Committee of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, confirmed that using the yuan in Egypt backs strategic bilateral cooperation. Egypt seeks industrial development and localization, which could happen in partnership with China, Helmy said, adding that the new decision will ease the pressure on the U.S. dollar in Egypt and the Egyptian cash reserve.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store