Editorial | Common law system remains Hong Kong’s most important asset
- Speakers at the Belt and Road Summit – including Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang – all said the same thing: that the city’s success rests on the rule of law
China’s Belt and Road Initiative may link dozens of countries around the world in a trade network, but Hong Kong still plays a key role. Repeated reminders of that are to be found in a few words spoken often at the eighth Hong Kong Belt and Road Summit – “common law legal system”.
So long as Hong Kong preserves it under its rule of law, alongside world-class financial services, it can stay on track to be a super-connector to the mainland economy.
President Xi Jinping confirmed Beijing’s support for these values in his speech in July last year marking the 25th anniversary of the resumption of Chinese sovereignty over the city. Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, a Politburo Standing Committee member, affirmed it in the main keynote speech at the summit.
It was the clearest public confirmation yet of Ding’s leading role in the city’s affairs, as the state leader in charge of the party’s central leading group on Hong Kong and Macau. Other Chinese leaders have stressed the importance of the city’s common law system, and how this can help Hong Kong better connect China with other countries.
Ding said Hong Kong remained an important bridge and window connecting the mainland with the world, but set four expectations of the city, on deepening regional cooperation, enhancing financial services, focusing on professional services and deepening cultural interaction. He also reinforced Premier Li Qiang’s support for Hong Kong’s bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – the world’s largest trade deal – and for more free-trade pacts.
