Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen has welcomed the Hague Conference on Private International Law's new Asia Pacific Regional Office in Hong Kong.

Speaking at the office's opening ceremony at Government House today, Mr Yuen said the move is a significant vote of confidence in Hong Kong's position both as a regional legal services centre and as a springboard for the Hague Conference to further develop its work and extend its influence in the region.

"The Hague Conventions stand out as shining examples of a pool of international instruments, in the field of private international law on various subject matters, which may be conveniently tapped into by any state in the region. Many of these instruments have been tested by time and actual cases, and we can testify that they have served Hong Kong very well over the years," Mr Yuen said.

At the ceremony, Chief Executive CY Leung witnessed the signing of the Host Country Agreement and the Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements relating to the office's establishment.

Hague Conference Secretary General Hans van Loon said the office will serve as a base of operations to publicise the Hague Conventions, which have been proved to be adaptable to different regions' needs and provide a connection to the global community.

"The task of the Hague Conference on Private International Law is to develop and service such multilateral legal instruments, conventions, which, despite the differences between legal systems, will allow individuals as well as companies to enjoy a high degree of legal security."

Justice Hartmann will be the first Representative of the Hague Conference for the Asia Pacific region.