Optimizing the Business Environment by Focusing on Resolving the Problem at the Source

On the afternoon of November 6, the Shanghai Mediation Center (hereinafter referred to as “SCMC”) signed a cooperation agreement in Hong Kong with the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organisations, the Hong Kong-Zhejiang Federation of Hometown Associations, and the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations. Mr. Henry Tang, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Founding President of the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organisations, Mr. Yu Xuejie, Deputy Director of Communications with Social Organizations of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R., Mr. Shi Weidong, full-time Vice-President of Shanghai Law Society, and Mr. Sun Jianping, Chairman of the Management Committee of SCMC, were present at the ceremony.

(Group photo of participants in the signing ceremony)

Mr. Henry Tang had a cordial conversation with the participants and encouraged them to work hand in hand to improve the commercial and economic services between Shanghai and Hong Kong.

As China’s key cities with special status and functions, Shanghai and Hong Kong bear the important responsibility of creating an international first-class business environment. The cooperation between SCMC and the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai Associations in Hong Kong is to better protect the interests of businesses in Hong Kong from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, and to provide necessary legal services to market players in economic activities, including the resolution of various types of economic disputes among them.

(Presentation of commemorative gift by SCMC to the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organisations)

(Signing between SCMC and the Hong Kong-Zhejiang Federation of Hometown Associations)

(Signing between SCMC and the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations)

(Ms. Li Haige, Deputy Director of SCMC, presided over the signing ceremony)

Mr. Yao Maolong, member of the National Committee of CPPCC and President of the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organisations said that the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Federation and SCMC will effectively guide businesses in Hong Kong to know and use mediation; and hoped that both parties could strengthen exchanges and cooperation in commerce and trade to build a better business environment, so that they can contribute to the implementation of national strategies and the in-depth promotion of the opening up on a high level between Shanghai and Hong Kong.

(Speech by Mr. Yao Maolong)

Mr. Che Hongjian, member of the National Committee of CPPCC and first executive vice president of the Hong Kong-Zhejiang Federation of Hometown Associations, and Mr. Guan Baihao, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and president of the Federation of Hong Kong-Shanghai Associations, both agreed that: Shanghai and Hong Kong have been maintaining close economic and trade exchanges for a long time. In order to safeguard the interests of businesses in Hong Kong and deepen the cooperation between Hong Kong and Shanghai in the field of commerce and trade, we will guide the members of our associations to bear in mind the concept of “Mediation First”, so as to further promote the standardization and optimization of the business environment in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

(Speech by Mr. Che Hongjian)

(Speech by Mr. Guan Baihao)

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Sun said that today's signing ceremony is to further strengthen the in-depth cooperation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in the field of trade and commerce, and to better bring into play the functions of mediation organizations in optimizing the business environment. SCMC has engaged in constant interaction with its Hong Kong counterparts, exchanging experience in commercial mediation. Mr. Sun is looking forward to the cooperation between SCMC and the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai  Associations in Hong Kong, and has high hopes for companies in Hong Kong to further expand and strengthen their business in the mindset of “win-win” cooperation.

(Concluding remarks by Mr. Sun Jianping, Chairman of the Management Committee of SCMC)

After the signing event, SCMC held an appointment ceremony for Hong Kong mediators, in which the participating leaders issued letters of appointment to the newly appointed Hong Kong mediators.

(Mr. Henry Tang, Mr. Yu Xuejie, Mr. Shi Weidong, and Mr. Sun Jianping issuing letters of appointment to newly appointed Hong Kong mediators)

Representatives of Hong Kong mediators delivered speeches on their intention to give full play to their expertise to help business entities to resolve disputes through mediation, and jointly promote the high-quality economic development of Shanghai and Hong Kong.

(Speech by representatives of the newly appointed Hong Kong mediator)

(Speech by Senior Counsel Tam Winnie, representing the Hong Kong Mediators)