Following are the opening remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Opening Ceremony of Law Society of Hong Kong's Teen Talk 2024 "Deepening Legal Cooperation, Youth Shaping Tomorrow" GBA Study Tour today (July 6):

Mr Roden Tong (President of the Law Society of Hong Kong), Mr Chen Ming (Member of the Party Committee of Justice Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and Full time Secretary of the Party Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Lawyer Industry), Mr Liu Chunhua (Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, students from Hong Kong and Shenzhen,

     Good morning! We are here today in Shenzhen Talent Park, a place that serves to remind us of the value of talents and their contributions to the development of the city. It is with great pleasure that we gather here today for the opening ceremony of "Teen Talk 2024", an annual flagship event of the Law Society of Hong Kong, and with you all, future leaders of the cities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. 

     The Greater Bay Area (GBA) has a combined population of over 86 million and GDP over RMB13 trillion in 2022. The objective of the development of GBA is to deepen co-operation amongst Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and leverage the complementary advantages of the three places, to promote co-ordinated regional economic development, with a view to develop a world-class bay area ideal for living, working and travelling. GBA presents various opportunities and exciting career prospects for talented individuals. 

     Hong Kong, being the centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region and having a long-standing and well-established common law tradition, has a wealth of expertise in bridging different legal systems. Hong Kong displays its pivotal role as a "super connector" connecting with the rest of the world. Talents can make good use of the unique advantages of Hong Kong to tap into the development of opportunities of GBA. 

     The HKSAR Government is committed to contribute to the training of legal talents. The Department of Justice will take forward the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy. It is also through initiatives, like the present thoughtfully-organized study tour of the Law Society of Hong Kong, that we lay the foundation for legal talents. Through this two-day tour, you will have the chance to visit different places, including law court and arbitration center, in Shenzhen. This experience will provide you with insights that will shape your future endeavours, not only in the legal field, but beyond. 

     Let us approach this experience with open minds and eager hearts, and seize this opportunity to learn from each other and foster an exchange of ideas that will benefit both our legal systems. 

     Lastly, I wish the study tour a great success, and all participants a most rewarding and enjoyable time in GBA. Thank you. 

Ends/Saturday, July 6, 2024
Issued at HKT 14:30

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