Hong Kong legal and arbitration professionals, with their rich experience in international commercial law and high level of professional expertise, can help Mainland enterprises to expand into international markets, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen says.

Addressing the Seminar on Hong Kong Legal & Arbitration Services held in Xiamen today, Mr Yuen said Hong Kong has been a hub for legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region for years.

While working to enhance the laws, regulations and legal services, Hong Kong also strives to attract international legal organisations and arbitration institutions to set up offices in Hong Kong.

Late last year, the world-renowned Hague Conference on Private International Law set up its Asia Pacific Regional Office in Hong Kong.

"This not only constitutes a vote of confidence in Hong Kong's position as a regional legal services centre, but also enables Hong Kong to play a greater role in the provision of services in the field of private international law."

Hong Kong's arbitral awards are enforceable in over 140 jurisdictions under the New York Convention, and Mr Yuen said that the Department of Justice will continue to expand this network.

The seminar is one of the activities under the Fujian Xiamen Hong Kong Week 2013, it promotes Hong Kong's important role as a legal services and dispute resolution centre in the Asia Pacific Region, and the services and assistance provided by Hong Kong's legal and arbitration professions to Mainland enterprises in their process of 'going-out'.

Mr Yuen met with the Department of Justice of Fujian Province's Director-General Chen Yixing this morning, and exchanged views on the development of legal and arbitration services and further enhancing legal co-operation. He also visited Fujian Xiamen Hong Kong Week 2013 exhibitions before returning to Hong Kong.