Paul Lam offers rule-of-law outreach after sanctions end
Thestandard · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said he is prepared to engage with people from any country, including the United States and other Western nations, to explain Hong Kong's rule of law after the US Treasury removed sanctions on him and eight other mainland and Hong Kong officials in July. He said Hong Kong should help overseas audiences better understand the city and maintain dialogue even where views differ.
Key Points
- Lam said Hong Kong is an international city and should help overseas audiences better understand the city and its legal system through direct engagement.
- He said he would not resist meeting people from the United States or other Western countries if time permits, stressing sincerity in communication.
- Lam compared cross-border dialogue to friendships where disagreements exist, but said there is still much parties can discuss and work on together.
- He said such exchanges can help address concerns and are useful for consolidating confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law.
- Asked about interest in a higher post with less than a year left in the current government's term, Lam declined to answer and responded jokingly.
Why It Matters
Lam's comments point to a continued effort by Hong Kong officials to make the city's legal case directly to overseas audiences after the lifting of US sanctions on him. His willingness to meet critics and governments with different views may shape how the administration handles external scrutiny in the remaining months of the current term.