The Chinese government has officially launched a new international mediation organization in Hong Kong, aiming to establish it as a key player in global conflict resolution. The Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) was signed into law on Friday during a ceremony led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
This event was attended by representatives from several nations, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Laos, Cambodia, and Serbia, along with officials from 20 international organizations, such as the United Nations. A video presentation at the ceremony outlined the types of cases IOMed will handle, which include disputes between countries, cases involving foreign nationals, and conflicts involving private international entities.
China envisions IOMed as a rival to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s main judicial body, which currently handles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on international law. The establishment of IOMed is seen as a move to enhance Hong Kong’s status as a global mediation hub and to improve its international standing, which has declined in recent years.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, stated that IOMed would have a status comparable to that of the ICJ and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. He emphasized that the new organization would bring significant economic benefits and job opportunities to the region, stimulating sectors like hospitality and transport.
The decision to create IOMed comes as Hong Kong faces ongoing economic challenges following its return to Chinese control in 1997. Investor confidence has been shaken by Beijing’s tightening grip on the territory, raising concerns about its economic recovery post-pandemic.
In an opinion piece, Hong Kong’s Justice Secretary Paul Lam expressed that IOMed would help the city address challenges from external forces attempting to reduce its international role. He encouraged the use of IOMed to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a center for international dispute resolution.
The headquarters for IOMed is expected to open by the end of this year or early 2026, located in a former police station in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong. The establishment of this organization marks a significant step in China’s efforts to influence global governance and promote mediation as a means of resolving international disputes.