Letters | For Hong Kong’s mediation body to be on par with The Hague, more must be done

Readers discuss Hong Kong’s opportunity to cement its international status, the meaning of ‘like-minded’, the city’s long-term fiscal planning, and civil service exams

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre left) and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (centre right) attend the signing ceremony for the convention on the establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 11:30am, 8 Jul 2025

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With China signing a convention to set up the International Organisation for Mediation in Hong Kong, the city has an extraordinary opportunity to cement its international status amid geopolitical turmoil.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi suggested, the IOMed is meant to give the Global South more confidence in resolving disputes. Hong Kong has always been a top choice for commercial arbitration, and its professionalism and adaptability to international norms will provide a firm underpinning for the IOMed. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu even said the IOMed would be on par with the international courts in The Hague.

Yet the success story of The Hague is built upon favourable historical developments and its proximity to other international bodies in Europe. While Hong Kong does have the corresponding networks and reputation, it would take years, if not decades, of consistent efforts to reach the same level of prominence as The Hague.

Moreover, a focus on representing the Global South might mean moving away from the Eurocentric mindset, and finding a balance would require much trial and error. Ironically, Western interests must also be accommodated for the IOMed to be truly international.

The city’s leaders must ask themselves, how can this be done? Within the boundaries of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government still has some capacity to complement the central government’s efforts in the realm of diplomacy. A possible approach is to reinforce cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to secure a close-knit network of international bodies. Hong Kong has much untapped potential in the field of international affairs, and the city’s leaders need to understand that the IMOed would bring much more than investors and jobs.

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.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | For Hong Kong’s mediation body to be on par with The Hague, more must be done

Letters | For Hong Kong’s mediation body to be on par with The Hague, more must be done