China has formally established a new international mediation body in Hong Kong, marking a fresh push to expand its influence in global governance and dispute resolution. On Friday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over the inauguration ceremony, which gathered representatives from over 30 countries and 20 international organizations. The International Organization for Mediation is set to become the world’s first intergovernmental institution focused solely on mediation, tasked with handling disputes between nations, between governments and foreign nationals, and among private international parties.
Officials chose Hong Kong as the base, aiming to leverage its common law system and robust alternative dispute resolution framework. The organization will operate from a repurposed former police station in the Wan Chai district, with operations expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the new body would enjoy status comparable to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The launch arrives amid rising global tensions and ongoing trade disputes, especially between China and the United States. Hong Kong’s Justice Secretary Paul Lam described the move as a direct response to what he called efforts by “hostile external forces” to undermine the city’s international standing. Local leaders expect the mediation center to boost Hong Kong’s economy by generating jobs and stimulating sectors such as hospitality and transport.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted mediation as a flexible, cost-effective, and less confrontational approach to resolving international disagreements. He said the new organization would help move beyond the traditional “win or lose” mentality and foster more amicable solutions to global conflicts.
Photo Credit: Chong Fat, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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