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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary delegation, led by the Hon Chief Justice Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li, returned to Hong Kong this afternoon (September 22) after a four-day visit to Beijing.

During its stay in Beijing, the delegation met Vice-President Mr Zeng Qinghong, President of the Supreme People's Court Mr Xiao Yang and Vice-President Mr Huang Songyou, Minister of Justice Mr Zhang Fusen, and the Director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Mr Liao Hui.

They were briefed by the Chief Justice and delegation members on the development of Hong Kong's judicial system in recent years.

"President Xiao Yang recognised the contribution of our courts to the implementation of 'one country, two systems' under the Basic Law and to the maintenance of the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong," the Chief Justice said upon return.

"Both President Xiao and I agreed that professional exchanges between the judges and judicial officers of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Mainland should be encouraged and strengthened," he added.

On the delegation's third day in Beijing, the Chief Justice delivered a speech on Hong Kong's judicial system at the Law School of the Renmin University of China and the delegation also visited an Intermediate People's Court.

The Chief Justice said the delegation had learned more about the latest developments in the Mainland judicial and legal systems. They also shared their experience in the administration of justice in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region during the visit.

Ends/Wednesday, September 22, 2004

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