Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Government of Western Samoa

KEYNOTE ADDRESS Minister of Education & Culture Hon. Aiono Alec Ekeroma

Reverend Dr. Latu Latai, thank you for leading us in prayer.

Chair of Council, Professor Letuimanu’asina Emma Kruse Vaai;

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tuifuisa’a Amosa;

President of the Pacific History Association, Dr Togialelei Safua Akeli Ama’ama and your executive;

Distinguished keynote speakers, members of the Pacific History Association, scholars, students and friends

Talofa lava and welcome to Samoa.

It is my pleasure to open the 26th Pacific History Association Conference here at the National University of Samoa. As Minister of Education, I am proud that Samoa can host a gathering that places Pacific history and Pacific thinking at the centre of discussion.

Our theme, Le Solosoloū – Resilience in the Face of Adversity, speaks deeply to who we are as Pacific peoples. It comes from everyday life quiet, steady perseverance, the willingness to keep going when the load is heavy. It is what our parents do, what our teachers and researchers do, and what our elders do to hold families and villages together.

History helps us make sense of that resilience. When our young people study history, they don’t simply memorise timelines. They learn how previous generations responded to war, colonisation, epidemics, cyclones, economic hardship and political change. They discover that Pacific peoples debated, resisted, adapted and strategised and this builds confidence that they too can shape the present.

History gives our students three gifts: the language to describe their world; habits of questioning and evidence weighing; and a sense of place in family, village, nation and region. These are not extras they are core to quality education.

A key challenge for us is reframing history through Pacific lenses. For too long our stories were written from outside, judged by external ideas of progress and modernity. When we centre our languages, memories and concepts, we enrich global knowledge and remind the world that Oceania has its own theories of land, leadership, kinship, faith and justice.

This means taking seriously the oral histories in our families, villages and diasporas. Elders’ stories of voyages, land disputes, church conflict, political rallies and migration rarely appear in official archives, yet they allow us to retell colonial histories from our own vantage points. They show our youth that their ancestors were thinkers, innovators and leaders.

Samoa is part of a region already living with climate impacts. Our elders remember storms and droughts and how communities relied on traditional knowledge. Today the seas rise higher, cyclones intensify and saltwater enters freshwater places. These are not just statistics they are stories of cemeteries washed away, gardens flooded and villages weighing relocation.

Traditional knowledge our place-based wisdom about land, sea, weather, food and relationships is central to resilience. It is visible today when fishers read the currents, when families plant hardy crops and when villages use mangroves to protect their shores.

History also works in conversation with science. Records of cyclones, droughts, epidemics and coastlines, together with stories of healers, clinics and modern technologies, help shape new tools that reflect Pacific priorities. Collaboration between historians, scientists, health workers and engineers strengthens our regional responses.

For those of us in government, history is not optional. Policies that ignore culture might look tidy on paper, but they rarely last. They often repeat old mistakes because they do not understand how institutions evolved or why past reforms failed. Policies grounded in local stories and values connect with people and endure.

At the same time, we must face the sources of adversity environmental damage, inequality, gender-based violence, political instability, climate change and the loss of knowledge. These challenges are rooted in historical decisions about land, power and voice. Pacific political and gender histories help us see whose labour sustained communities, whose voices were silenced and how power shifted across time. These insights are essential for debates about constitutions, elections, land rights and gender equality.

This is why this conference matters. Over the next few days, you will explore climate and environmental history, cultural heritage, education, gender, power and peacebuilding. These discussions help shape our understanding of resilience and inform planning for our shared future.

One of the strengths of this gathering is the mix of people historians, artists, curators, teachers, students, community leaders and policymakers. This blend keeps history alive and ensures it informs public debate and everyday decisions. It brings research into classrooms, villages and workplaces.

History education is especially vital for our youth. If curricula present the Pacific only through the lens of other people’s empires and wars, our students will struggle to see themselves as agents of change. When history begins from our islands, oceans, movements, struggles and creativity, young people see that they inherit a legacy of leadership and innovation. They also learn the skills democratic societies rely on: critical thinking, recognising bias, listening across differences and holding power to account.

I acknowledge our keynote speakers:

• Emeritus Professor Malama Meleisea, whose scholarship shapes how we

understand Samoa and the Pacific;

• Sir Robert Igara, who will reflect on fifty years of PNG independence;

• Maluiao Leua Latai, whose creative work shows that art is also a form of history;

• And Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General of SPREP, who will challenge us to align

history education with Pacific knowledge systems.

I also thank the historians, researchers and teachers whose commitment ensures Pacific stories are studied, taught and shared. And I acknowledge the Pacific History Association, the Faculty of Arts at NUS, sponsors, partners, staff and volunteers. The work behind this event months of planning, writing, revising and fundraising is itself an expression of Le Solosoloū.

My hope for this week is simple: that the conversations here travel into classrooms, village meetings, ministries and regional forums, and that you use this time to build meaningful relationships across generations, disciplines and countries. These networks are themselves part of Pacific resilience.

I leave you with two questions:

How can the histories shared here be made useful for our students, teachers and communities?

And how can research shape policies grounded in Pacific values rather than external models?

If this conference moves us forward on these questions, it will have served our region well.

In closing, let us continue recording the stories of our elders, teaching our children that their languages and customs are strengths, and making our churches, women’s committees, youth groups and school councils living spaces of history. If we connect the knowledge of our universities with the wisdom of our villages, Le Solosoloū will remain a living practice that carries us through the storms ahead.

On behalf of the Government and people of Samoa, I am honoured to declare the 26th Pacific History Association Conference officially open.

Manuia le fono – fa’afetai tele lava.

December 5, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The 2025 Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) will be held on December 7 (Sunday). A spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office (REO) said today (December 5) that poll cards have been mailed to about 4.13 million registered electors. Electors should vote at their allocated polling stations and follow proper voting procedures when casting their votes.

Poll cards

     In addition to the poll card, the election mail sent to each elector by the REO also includes a map indicating the location of the allocated polling station, a guide on voting procedure, introduction to candidates leaflets in respect of his/her relevant constituency(ies), and a publicity leaflet on clean elections by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

     The REO spokesman said, “In response to the Electoral Affairs Commission’s earlier announcement to extend the polling hours for this LCGE, the previous polling hours stated in the poll cards and other relevant documents already sent out by the REO are no longer valid. Electors should note that the REO has sent out another notice to all Hong Kong electors, stating the new polling hours (i.e. from 7.30am to 11.30pm).”

     Due to the Tai Po fire, adjustments have been made to three polling stations in the district. Affected electors need to relocate from their original polling stations to the reallocated polling stations for casting their votes. Except for those electors of Wang Fuk Court who are currently residing in other districts, the REO has sent a notice to affected electors in Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po Kau area and Tai Po Market to inform them of their reallocated polling stations. The affected electors may also check relevant voting information by logging into the Online Voter Information Enquiry System (www.voterinfo.gov.hk) through “iAM Smart” or the Voter Registration website (vr.gov.hk). 

Arrangements of polling stations

     The REO spokesman said, “There are over 4.13 million geographical constituency (GC) electors across the territory. The REO will set up 612 Ordinary Polling Stations. GC and functional constituency (FC) electors may go to the Ordinary Polling Station allocated to them and cast their votes for the candidates of their GCs and FCs (if applicable) at the same time. Approximately 1 500 electors of the Election Committee constituency (ECC) can cast their votes for all relevant constituencies at the polling station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).”

     On the polling day, the polling hours for the Ordinary Polling Stations, the ECC polling station, the three Dedicated Polling Stations set up at police stations and the Near Boundary Polling Stations (NBPSs) will be from 7.30am to 11.30pm. For the Dedicated Polling Stations set up at penal institutions, for security reasons, the polling hours will be from 9am to 4pm. For the Designated Polling Stations and Outreach Polling Stations for Residential Care Homes under the pilot arrangements, their polling hours are from 8.30am to 9.30pm, and from 8.30am to 6.30pm respectively.

     Two queues will be set up at the polling stations. One queue is for people aged 70 or above, pregnant women and persons who are unable to queue for a long time due to physical conditions, while the other queue is for ordinary electors. Seats will be provided in the polling stations for any electors in need, and to join the queue afterwards for collecting their ballot papers.

To facilitate the voting by electors on the polling day, the Government has identified different premises nearby over 30 polling stations to provide some temporary parking spaces. Those in need may park their vehicles there for a short duration for casting their votes at the polling stations. The opening hours of the parking spaces concerned are in general from 7.30am to 11.30pm on the polling day. Electors should refer to the terms of use and the instructions of the management of the premises for the detailed arrangements that day (including the duration of free parking and the parking fee thereafter (if any)). Details of the temporary parking spaces are at annex.

     On the polling day, electors can check the approximate waiting time of Ordinary Polling Stations, the ECC polling station and NBPSs on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk). Depending on the waiting time and their schedule, electors can make their own arrangements on when to vote. 

Voting procedures

Most Ordinary Polling Stations will make use of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) System to issue ballot papers. The polling procedures are very simple. Electors will be instructed by the polling staff to the issuing desks after they enter the polling station. The elector must show the original of his/her valid Hong Kong identity (HKID) card and the polling staff will scan the elector’s HKID card with an EPR tablet. The elector may check his/her name, partial HKID card number and the type(s) of ballot paper(s) that he/she is entitled to on an EPR tablet for verification of information. The elector may then enter the voting compartment upon collection of the ballot paper(s).

     GC electors must affix the chop provided at the polling station to mark a single ‘tick’ in the circle opposite the name of the candidate of their choice on the ballot paper by themselves, and then insert the unfolded ballot paper into the blue ballot box with the marked side facing down. As for FCs, electors must mark the ballot paper using the black pen provided at the polling station to fill in the oval on the ballot paper opposite the name(s) of the candidate(s) of their choice by themselves, and then insert the unfolded ballot paper into the red ballot box with the marked side facing down.

     ECC electors must vote for 40 candidates, no more and no less. Otherwise, the ballot paper will be considered invalid and will not be counted. Electors must use the black pen provided at the polling station to fill in the oval opposite the names of the candidates of their choice. After marking the ballot paper, electors should use the Ballot Paper Checking Machine to check whether the number of candidates marked on the paper is 40. The machine will not record the choices marked on the ballot paper. Electors should put the ballot paper, unfolded with the marked side facing down, into the white ballot box.

     The ballot is autonomous and secret. Electors must mark their ballot papers on their own in the voting compartment. If in need, electors may ask for assistance from the polling staff. Electors must not disturb others during voting, nor use electronic communication devices, take photographs or make audio or video recordings in the polling stations. Canvassing, distribution of election advertisements or displaying propaganda materials are also prohibited inside polling stations.

     To ensure that electors understand the polling procedures, the REO has produced a set of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest which have been uploaded onto the election website for electors’ reference.

Counting and result announcement
 
     After the close of poll, a majority of the Ordinary Polling Stations will be changed to counting stations immediately for the counting of GC votes. For small polling stations of which less than 500 electors are assigned to vote, Dedicated Polling Stations, the ECC polling station, NBPSs, Designated Polling Stations and Outreach Polling Stations for Residential Care Homes, the GC ballot papers will be delivered to the ballot paper sorting station cum consolidated main counting stations at Kowloon Park Sports Centre for counting. The ballot boxes of all FCs and the ECC will be delivered to the Central Counting Station at the HKCEC for counting.

     For the GCs, upon completion of the count, the Presiding Officer of each counting station will make known the counting results to the candidates or their agents present. Upon verification of the counting results of all counting stations in a GC, the REO will notify the Returning Officer (RO) at the Central Counting Station at HKCEC of the overall counting result for the RO to sign and declare the election results at the Media Centre. As for the FCs and ECC, once the counting of votes is completed and the election results are verified by the Statistical Information Centre, the ROs will notify the present candidates and their agents of the counting results, and sign and declare the election results at the counting zone of the Central Counting Station. The election results will be announced again by the ROs on stage of the Media Centre.

      The election results will be published via press releases and the election website, as well as displaying outside the Media Centre.

Clean elections

     The REO spokesman reminded that according to the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (Cap. 554), it is illegal conduct to incite any person not to vote, to cast a blank or invalid vote by any activity in public during an election; and it is corrupt conduct if a person willfully obstructs and prevents another person from voting at an election. 

     For enquiries, please call the REO’s hotline at 2891 1001 or visit the election website for more information on the LCGE. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly condemns certain members of the US House of Representatives for attempting to pervert the course of justice by twisting the facts regarding the case of Lai Chee-ying and his custodial arrangements.

 

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that a “resolution” introduced by the members attacks and smears Hong Kong, the “one country, two systems” principle, and the city’s attempts to safeguard national security and protect human rights.

 

The statement emphasised that as legal proceedings in Mr Lai’s case – in which he is charged with offences under the National Security Law – are still ongoing, it is therefore inappropriate to comment on the case. Doing so interferes with the court’s exercise of independent judicial power, may pervert the course of justice, and disregards the spirit of the rule of law, it said.

 

It outlined that the “resolution” baselessly alleges that Mr Lai has been subjected to inhumane treatment in custody, while turning a blind eye to various human rights violations occurring domestically in the US. It said this amounts to blatant hypocrisy and double standards.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government iterated that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China and a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under “one country, two systems” and under the central government. It said that the legal basis for “one country, two systems” comprises the Constitution and the Basic Law, which guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, as buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power.

 

The statement added that the Hong Kong SAR Government steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of “one country, two systems”.

 

It emphasised that the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong are precisely intended to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and to ensure the full and faithful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”, under which Hong Kong people administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government said that it acts, in accordance with the law, to resolutely and effectively prevent, suppress, and punish actions that endanger national security, while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.

 

It said it strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern fact from fallacies, respect international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in matters which are purely China’s internal affairs.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (December 5) strongly condemned certain United States (US) House of Representatives politicians for attempting to use a so-called “resolution” to make absurd and fact-twisting comments on the case involving Lai Chee-ying endangering national security, as well as his custodial arrangements, with the intention to pervert the course of justice. Such so-called “resolution” attacks and smears the HKSAR’s situation regarding its high degree of autonomy under the “one country, two systems”, safeguarding national security, and protecting human rights. The HKSAR Government expressed strong opposition and dissatisfaction, and must sternly denounce such acts to set the record straight.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said: “The HKSAR Government has emphasised time and again that as the legal proceedings of Lai Chee-ying’s case involving the Hong Kong National Security Law are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the case in an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power independently, which might otherwise constitute perverting the course of justice. Yet, certain US politicians have introduced the so-called ‘resolution’ under the pretext of human rights, democracy and freedom to blatantly comment on the case. This is an obvious attempt to exert pressure on the courts of the HKSAR, completely disregarding the spirit of the rule of law. Moreover, the so-called ‘resolution’ baselessly alleges that Lai Chee-ying has been subjected to inhumane treatment in custody, while turning a blind eye to various human rights violations occurring domestically in the US, is in fact blatant hypocrisy and double standard.”
 
The spokesman stressed, “The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, paying no regard to their political stance, background or occupation of the person or organisation involved. In this regard, the claim made in the so-called ‘resolution’ that Lai Chee-ying has been targeted by the HKSAR authorities because of his political views and participation in public interest issues (including democracy and human rights topics) is completely untrue. The HKSAR Government must solemnly point out that the suggestion that any persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune from legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities is tantamount to granting such persons privileges to break the law. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the relevant US politicians to respect the fundamental principles of the rule of law and judicial independence and immediately cease their despicable political manipulations that distort facts and glorify criminal acts.”

“On the other hand, the HKSAR Government has also publicly stated on numerous occasions that the medical services received by Lai Chee-ying in custody are adequate and comprehensive. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) attaches great importance to the safety and health of persons-in-custody (PICs). Regardless of the identities, ages and nationalities of PICs, the CSD is committed to ensuring that the custodial environment is secure, safe, humane, appropriate and healthy, as well as timely medical support. During an earlier public court hearing, senior counsel representing Lai Chee-ying clearly presented to the court that the correctional institutions had been arranging daily medical checkups for Lai Chee-ying and that there had been no complaints at all regarding the medical services he was receiving, and the Court commended the CSD.  As for the arrangement for Lai Chee-ying’s removal from association from other PICs (i.e. the so-called ‘solitary confinement’), it has all along been made at his own request and approved by the CSD after considering all relevant factors in accordance with the law.”

Regarding the attacks and smears made by the so-called “resolution” on the HKSAR’s high degree of autonomy under “one country, two systems”, safeguarding national security, as well as protection of human rights, the spokesman emphasised: “The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under ‘one country, two systems’, and directly under the Central People’s Government. The legal basis for implementing ‘one country, two systems’ comprises the Constitution and the Basic Law, which provide constitutional guarantee for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, and is buttressed by the rule of law and independent judicial power.”
 
“The HKSAR Government steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to the highest principle of ‘one country, two systems’. The laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR are precisely for safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and ensuring the full and faithful implementation of the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. It will also better safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms.  The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely and effectively prevent, suppress, and punish acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’. The HKSAR Government once again strongly urges relevant US politicians to discern facts from fallacies, respect the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The inaugural Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum and the inaugural LawTech Conference were held today, marking the conclusion of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025.

 

The five-day event attracted approximately 6,000 online and offline registrants from nearly 50 jurisdictions, demonstrating Hong Kong’s status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre that enjoys unique advantages owing to its common law system under the “one country, two systems” arrangement.

 

The GBA Lawyers Forum, which took the theme of “GBA Connectivity: Setting Sail for Global Horizons”, brought together prominent legal experts from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to share insights on cross-boundary legal collaboration.

 

This was followed by the LawTech Conference, which was the main event of this week’s three-day LawTech Fest. The conference, themed “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century”, featured a keynote speaker, an interactive segment and roundtable discussions, during which the LexGoTech Roundtables Report was released.

 

In closing remarks at the conference, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam highlighted that the Chief Executive’s recent Policy Address emphasised the Government’s commitment to promoting AI as a core industry.

 

Besides promoting the integration of lawtech and AI in the legal sector, the Department of Justice will establish an interdepartmental working group by the end of this year to co-ordinate the responsible bureaus in reviewing relevant legislation, he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced today (December 5) that the conditions of all hospitalised casualties from the Tai Po fire are gradually improving, and all patients previously listed as critical have now been stabilised. Healthcare staff will continue their efforts to care for all patients, offering hope for a swift recovery.

A total of 79 patients received treatment at various public hospitals following the fire. Among them, 19 were previously listed in critical condition due to severe burns, smoke inhalation, and respiratory injuries. After receiving treatment, the condition of all critical patients has improved. As of 6pm today, 30 patients remain hospitalised, with none in critical condition, six in serious condition, and 24 in stable condition. Forty-nine patients have been discharged.

The HA spokesperson said: “All hospitalised patients have shown significant improvement. Healthcare staff have formulated appropriate treatment plans and comprehensive care to support their recovery. Psychological support is also offered to patients and their families to address mental and emotional needs.”

The HA will provide full medical fee waivers for all Wang Fuk Court residents until December 31, 2026. This includes in-patient services, family medicine and specialist out-patient clinics (SOPCs) services (including psychiatry SOPCs), accident and emergency services, day hospitals, day procedures, community services and Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres under the HA.

The spokesperson added that healthcare staff will continue to provide dedicated care and support throughout the patients’ recovery journey, expressing hope that all patients and their families will remain resilient and overcome this traumatic experience as soon as possible.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The GBA Lawyers Organization was officially launched today (December 5) at the First Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum under the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, with a view to steadily advancing the pilot scheme for lawyers practicing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and fully leveraging their professional strengths. The Organization will provide liaison services and organise activities to support GBA lawyers to better contribute to the development of the GBA.
 
     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, remarked in his opening speech that the establishment of a dedicated platform for GBA lawyers was one of the key tasks in the Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area released by the Department of Justice (DoJ) last year. The same initiative was also clearly stated in last year’s Policy Address, reflecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s strong commitment to promote the nurturing of legal talent in the GBA. He thanked the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province for their strong support in the establishment of the GBA Lawyers Organization, and hoped that the Organization would in the future, collaborate closely with the DoJ to advance the pilot scheme for lawyers to practice in the GBA, create favourable conditions for regularising the GBA lawyers scheme, and contribute to the country’s construction of foreign-related rule of law.
 
     The Representative of the Preparatory Office of the GBA Lawyers Organization and Chairman of the China Legal Service (H.K.) Ltd, Ms Liu Changchun, introduced the objectives, functions and key activities of the Organization at the forum. The main responsibilities of the Organization include uniting Hong Kong lawyers with affection for the country and Hong Kong to give full effect to the role of GBA lawyers in the country’s construction of foreign-related rule of law and promote integration of Hong Kong’s legal community into the national development; strengthening professional exchanges and collaboration among lawyers in the area, facilitating GBA lawyers’ participation in professional activities held in the Mainland and Hong Kong; and providing communication, consultation, and training services for those who already obtained the GBA lawyer’s licence, such as those who passed the GBA Legal Professional Examination with a plan to practice in the Mainland, as well as applicants for the GBA Legal Professional Examination. The Organization will also study and analyse the challenges and issues faced by lawyers practicing in the GBA and propose solutions.
 
     The first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Forum, themed “GBA Connectivity: Setting Sail for Global Horizons”, gathered Mainland and Hong Kong legal leaders who delivered keynote speeches on cross-boundary co-operation and future development of GBA lawyers. As the first keynote speaker, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, elaborated on Hong Kong’s unique advantages and how it leverages its strategic position as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region as well as measures introduced by the DoJ in strengthening Hong Kong’s roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, making Hong Kong the preferred partner for Mainland enterprises seeking to expand abroad and for foreign companies hoping to tap into the Mainland market. The Director-General of the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, Mr Chen Xudong, also delivered a keynote speech outlining Guangdong’s implementation of and future development on the country’s opening policy for Hong Kong and Macao legal services. Other speakers shared insights on the legal practitioners framework and regulatory regime for GBA lawyers; dispute resolution practice, and innovations in the regulatory framework and judicial practice concerning choice of law for Hong Kong and Macao-invested enterprises.
 
     During the panel discussion themed “The Unique Advantage of ‘One Country, Two Systems, Three Jurisdictions’ – GBA Lawyers Facilitating Enterprises to Go Global”, prominent GBA and Mainland lawyers exchanged practical experiences and discussed how dual-qualified GBA lawyers could leverage the unique strengths of the “one country, two systems, three jurisdictions” framework under the GBA to assist Mainland enterprises in going global.
 
     For more details of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalweek.hk. A live broadcast is available on the dedicated website and at webcast.info.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 5) that the Aberdeen Public Library (including the Students’ Study Room) will be temporarily closed on December 7 to facilitate voting for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election at the polling station located in the Aberdeen Sports Centre.

     A book drop service will be available at the Aberdeen Public Library on that day. Alternatively, readers may borrow or return library materials at other public libraries, or renew loan items by telephone on 2698 0002/2827 2833 or online at www.hkpl.gov.hk.

     For enquiries, please contact library staff of the Aberdeen Public Library at 2921 1056.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the closing remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the LawTech Conference “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century” under Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 today (December 5):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     As we approach the end of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your active participation in the past few days despite the difficult circumstances in our community. We extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the tragic fire which took place last week and remain mindful of the gravity of the situation as we bring Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 to a close. This week has offered us a valuable platform to engage in meaningful dialogues on various international, regional and local hot topics. This afternoon, we have explored the burgeoning possibilities presented by lawtech and artificial intelligence (AI).

Importance of lawtech and AI in the 21st century

     This is a meaningful year for the DoJ’s (Department of Justice) annual flagship Hong Kong Legal Week, as we organised the inaugural Hong Kong LawTech Fest. Lawtech and AI are not only trends to observe but pivotal forces which are transforming the whole legal profession. During the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, we have explored how technological advancements are transforming the legal industry, enhancing not only efficiency but also accessibility and quality.

     The significance of lawtech and AI cannot be overstated. The traditional methods we have relied on for long are now being complemented and, in some cases, supplanted by innovative technologies which help streamline workflow and enhance efficiency. AI-powered legal tools facilitate a wide variety of tasks including legal research, document review and drafting, contract lifecycle management and e-discovery, and are significantly changing the way legal practitioners engage with their work. These tools elevate legal services’ quality by minimising human errors, speeding up administrative tasks, and ensuring more accurate and timely responses to clients.

     Furthermore, the introduction of these technologies opens the door to a more inclusive legal landscape. The use of AI tools could facilitate access to justice through reducing the overall costs of legal services and making legal resources more easily accessible to individuals, regardless of their financial background. At the institutional level, they enable law firms, courts, and organisations to scale services, optimise resource allocation, and bridge gaps in access to justice.

     Nevertheless, there are two sides to every coin. As we embrace these technological innovations, we must not neglect the associated risks and ethical considerations. Throughout the discussions and the LexGoTech Roundtables Report released today, we have acknowledged the dual nature of technology: whilst it holds the promise of efficiency and accuracy, it carries the risks of bias, challenges to data privacy, accountability and transparency, etc. In light of these risks, maintaining human-in-the-loop is critical. We should not forget that while AI can process vast amounts of data with remarkable speed, advocacy, ethical judgment, commercial acumen, critical decision-making, emotional intelligence and relationship building and management cannot be fully automated. It is therefore pertinent for us to adopt a “Human+AI” approach when embracing the use of AI so that we can harness the benefits of technology while safeguarding against its potential risks.

DoJ’s work in the promotion of AI in the legal industry

     It is imperative that we approach the implementation of lawtech and AI in legal practice in a cautious and step-by-step manner. In this connection, the DoJ has embraced the recommendation of the Consultation Group on LawTech Development to promote the use of technology in the legal industry progressively in three stages. In Phase 1, we aim to change certain ingrained mindsets and practices within the legal profession by raising awareness. To this end, the DoJ launched the LexGoTech Roundtable Series to raise the profession’s understanding of lawtech and to facilitate the exchange and sharing of information between the profession and lawtech experts to enable them to plan for the viable adoption of lawtech. Moving to Phase 2, we aim to promote the profession’s engagement with lawtech products. We hope that through the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, the legal sector could have a better understanding of and access to the lawtech products which are available in the market, and to empower them to make informed choices on the adoption approach that best suits their individual needs. In Phase 3, we would accelerate the widespread adoption of lawtech in the legal profession by encouraging local and overseas lawtech enterprises to establish and grow in the local market, thereby fostering Hong Kong’s lawtech ecosystem. 

Policy Address 2025 and the National “AI+” Initiative

     The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address emphasises the Government’s strong commitment to step up the promotion of AI as a core industry for Hong Kong’s development. In this connection, apart from actively promoting the integration of lawtech and AI in the legal sector, the DoJ has taken on a pivotal role in shaping the broader legal regime for AI governance. In particular, we will establish an interdepartmental working group by the end of this year to co-ordinate the responsible bureaux in reviewing the relevant legislation, so as to support and complement the development of and need for wider application of AI in Hong Kong. 

     The emphasis of AI in Policy Address 2025 resonates with the national “AI+” Initiative. The 10-year blueprint for integrating AI into China’s economy and society aims to maximise the technology’s benefits for domestic development and international competitiveness. By aligning ourselves with this national strategy, and with Hong Kong being the springboard for Mainland enterprises going global, we would strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a global hub for AI development as well as contribute to national development by powering up our legal services. 

     As legal practitioners, it is our responsibility to harness the potential of lawtech and AI, not merely to enhance our practices but also to contribute to the overall development of our society. Embracing AI complements our vision of a forward-looking, dynamic legal system which is well prepared to tackle the challenges of the digital age. As we consider the implications of these goals for the legal profession, we must commit ourselves to continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration. We should work together to ensure that the legal sector evolves alongside technological advancements while adhering to key principles such as accuracy and reliability, compliance with laws and regulations, security and transparency, etc.

     The AI revolution offers us an unprecedented opportunity to redefine the legal profession and sharpen our skills. By embracing these changes with an open and cautious mindset, we can create a legal system which is not only swifter and smarter, but also fairer and more accessible for all. Let us ride the wave of this AI revolution together and seize the opportunities to enhance our practices and serve our community with greater impact. Together, we can keep Hong Kong at the vanguard of legal innovation in the 21st century.

     Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all those who are eligible to exercise your right to vote in the Legislative Council General Election on Sunday. Your active participation is more than a constitutional duty – it is a pivotal choice which will shape the future of our legal system, uphold the rule of law, and secure the well-being of our society.

     Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the supporting organisations, exhibitors of the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, moderators, speakers, my colleagues and all participants.  None of the events of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 would have been possible without your support, dedication, and hard work. On behalf of the Department, I extend our deepest thanks. Thank you.