The Asian Academy of International Law’s annual signature event attracted wide media coverage as well as over 500 onsite/online registrants coming from 61 jurisdictions, including the in-person participation of consular corps, official representatives of AALCO member States, government officials, legal practitioners, business leaders as well as academics.

Bringing together an array of world-renowned and highly esteemed speakers, this Colloquium explored Asia’s contribution in the past and the future. The Colloquium was graced with the presence of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Lee Ka-chiu John GBM SBS PDSM PMSM, and the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Cui Jianchun, who delivered Opening Speeches. Following that, the Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr Ma Xinmin, delivered the Keynote Speech. The Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Lam Ting-kwok Paul SBS SC JP, gave a talk to the participants during the lunch break.

The Colloquium’s panel discussions set out to reflect and deliberate on Asia’s contribution in the past and the future with three foci: (1) ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ moderated by Ms Teresa Cheng GBM GBS SC JP, the Founder Member and Co-Chairman of AAIL; (2) ‘Partnership in Trade Relation’ joined by Dr Anthony Neoh SC JP, the Co-Chairman of AAIL; and (3) ‘Mediation’ moderated by Mr Adrian Lai JP, the Deputy Secretary General and Co-Convenor of the Advisory Board of AAIL.