Hong Kong, 9 December 2024: Colin Cohen has hailed the Greater Bay Area as hugely important to the future of Hong Kong’s legal profession after being part of a high-powered delegation from the city that visited Guangdong Province.

The group, comprising more than 30 lawyers, held talks with government, administrative and regulatory officials in the major cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen during a three-day visit aimed at cementing closer cross-border legal ties.

“The scale and ambition of the GBA – and the opportunities it presents to the legal profession – are well documented. With its population of more than 84 million, powerhouse economy and strategic location, the GBA is ideally placed to play an increasingly significant role in local, regional and global business,” says Colin, Senior Partner in Boase Cohen & Collins.

“Law firms that offer multi-jurisdictional services and cross-border expertise are now in high demand. In particular, large-scale construction projects, company expansions, transactional services and investment in and out of the GBA will be huge growth areas for the Hong Kong legal sector, while our city’s standing as a world-class dispute resolution centre makes it the logical place for settling commercial disagreements.”

Comprising Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong, the GBA is a key national strategy devised by President Xi Jinping. Its objectives are, through cross-border co-operation and innovation, to develop a world-class business and trade super-hub that is ideal for living, working and travelling. At the same time, it is envisioned the GBA will play a leading role in China’s economic development and further opening up.

The legal sector delegation included office bearers of the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bar Association, plus representatives from local, international and registered foreign law firms.

“This initiative was notable for the diversity of the delegation in terms of non-Chinese speakers and their areas of expertise. The authorities on both sides of the border fully recognise the importance of the GBA attracting international businesses in order to realise its potential,” adds Colin, who has vast experience in commercial litigation, securities regulatory issues, arbitration and cross-border work.

The delegation was led by the Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam SC, who described it as “star-studded” and he emphasised the authorities’ desire for legal professionals across the GBA to meet regularly to enhance mutual understanding.

The tour began on Thursday in Guangzhou, where the Hong Kong group met Guangdong vice-governor Liu Guozhou, as well as representatives of the province’s Department of Justice and other authorities. On Friday, discussions were held with the deputy secretary general of the Shenzhen municipal government, Wu Jing, plus the city’s justice bureau and Qianhai authorities.

The initiative concluded on Saturday morning with a visit to the Shenzhen headquarters of BYD Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, after which the delegation returned to Hong Kong.