Latest news with #PoliticalBureau
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Hong Kong-headquartered International Mediation Body Established
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 31 May 2025 - International mediation marked a significant milestone yesterday (May 30) with the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). The IOMed, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is the world's first inter-governmental international legal organisation devoted to the use of mediation in resolving international disputes. More than 80 countries and about 20 international organisations, including the United Nations, sent senior representatives to Hong Kong to witness the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, attended the Signing Ceremony and was the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China. Altogether, 33 countries signed the Convention on-site, making them the founding members of the IOMed. Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations. The IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, whose handover is itself a success story of peaceful settlement of international disputes. He added that the success of the 'one country, two systems' principle has created brighter prospects for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, speaks at the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation and is the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, thanked the Central Government for its staunch support of Hong Kong, and the international community for placing their trust and confidence in the city. 'The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding,' Mr Lee said. 'This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions.' Mr Lee underscored that the IOMed reflected a shared confidence in mediation as a peaceful means to maintain international peace and security, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations. HKSAR's Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the signing ceremony. The Chief Executive also set out Hong Kong's advantages as an effective 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' and said the city would actively promote the IOMed's valuable work in settling international disputes through mediation. 'Despite geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong builds bridges, not walls,' Mr Lee said. 'Under our unique 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. 'We are the only common law jurisdiction in China, and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in both Chinese and English. We have a long tradition of the rule of law, and our courts exercise their judicial power independently.' With a robust, efficient and well-respected legal system as well as world-class legal and dispute resolution services professionals, Hong Kong is also the most preferred seat for arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region. The IOMed headquarters will be located at the site of the former Wan Chai Police Station, once renovation of the Grade 2 historic building is completed. 'I'm happy to say that it could open its doors as early as the end of this year,' said Mr Lee. 'We look forward not only to welcoming its new occupants, but also to supporting them in building new bridges for a more connected, peaceful and prosperous future through mediation.' Representatives from over 30 countries, including China and countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, jointly signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30. In the afternoon, the Global Forum on International Mediation discussed topics such as mediation of disputes among countries and mediation of international investment and commercial disputes and the contributions that the IOMed can make. Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #mediation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Hong Kong-headquartered International Mediation Body Established
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 31 May 2025 - International mediation marked a significant milestone yesterday (May 30) with the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). The IOMed, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is the world's first inter-governmental international legal organisation devoted to the use of mediation in resolving international disputes. More than 80 countries and about 20 international organisations, including the United Nations, sent senior representatives to Hong Kong to witness the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi, attended the Signing Ceremony and was the first to sign the Convention on behalf of China. Altogether, 33 countries signed the Convention on-site, making them the founding members of the IOMed. Addressing the ceremony, Mr Wang said that as an innovative step in international rule of law, the IOMed has great significance in the history of international relations. The IOMed will be headquartered in Hong Kong, whose handover is itself a success story of peaceful settlement of international disputes. He added that the success of the "one country, two systems" principle has created brighter prospects for prosperity and stability in Hong Kong. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, thanked the Central Government for its staunch support of Hong Kong, and the international community for placing their trust and confidence in the city. "The IOMed will provide a pathway for countries – regardless of culture, language and legal system – to resolve international disputes based on mutual respect and understanding," Mr Lee said. "This is increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions." Mr Lee underscored that the IOMed reflected a shared confidence in mediation as a peaceful means to maintain international peace and security, as stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations. The Chief Executive also set out Hong Kong's advantages as an effective "super connector" and "super value-adder" and said the city would actively promote the IOMed's valuable work in settling international disputes through mediation. "Despite geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong builds bridges, not walls," Mr Lee said. "Under our unique "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. "We are the only common law jurisdiction in China, and the only jurisdiction in the world with a bilingual common law system in both Chinese and English. We have a long tradition of the rule of law, and our courts exercise their judicial power independently." With a robust, efficient and well-respected legal system as well as world-class legal and dispute resolution services professionals, Hong Kong is also the most preferred seat for arbitration in the Asia-Pacific region. The IOMed headquarters will be located at the site of the former Wan Chai Police Station, once renovation of the Grade 2 historic building is completed. "I'm happy to say that it could open its doors as early as the end of this year," said Mr Lee. "We look forward not only to welcoming its new occupants, but also to supporting them in building new bridges for a more connected, peaceful and prosperous future through mediation." In the afternoon, the Global Forum on International Mediation discussed topics such as mediation of disputes among countries and mediation of international investment and commercial disputes and the contributions that the IOMed can make. Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #mediation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Information Services Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Hamas Criticizes Israeli Response to U.S.-Backed Ceasefire Proposal, Reviews Offer
A senior Hamas official has criticized Israel's stance on a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States, even as the group reviews the terms of the plan aimed at pausing the nearly 20-month-long conflict. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau and spokesperson, confirmed in a statement shared with Newsweek that the group had received the latest proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has responded to the framework—a response acknowledged by the White House on Thursday. However, Naim argued that Israel's reply does not move the situation toward peace. "Upon careful examination, it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation and perpetuate policies of killing and starvation, even during what is supposed to be a period of temporary de-escalation," said Naim. He added that the proposal fails to meet Hamas' core demands, including a complete cessation of hostilities and immediate relief for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Nevertheless, Naim stated that Hamas is seriously evaluating the proposal. "Despite this, and in full awareness of the gravity of the ongoing genocide against our people, Hamas leadership is currently undertaking a thorough and responsible review of the new proposal," he said, emphasizing the group's commitment to the rights and future of the Palestinian people. Following Naim's remarks, Hamas released a separate statement saying it is currently consulting with Palestinian factions and stakeholders regarding the offer conveyed via mediators.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Chinese Foreign Minister meets African envoys in Beijing
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with African diplomatic envoys and celebrates Africa Day together in Beijing, capital of China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday met with African diplomatic envoys in China and celebrated Africa Day together in Beijing. Ambassadors or charge d'affaires of more than 50 African countries to China and representatives of the African Union in China attended the meeting. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said since entering the new era, President Xi Jinping has visited Africa five times and put forward the principle of China's Africa policy – sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, as well as the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, raising China's bilateral relations with all African countries to the level of strategic relations. The overall positioning of China-Africa relations has also been upgraded to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and China's relations with Africa have entered the best period in history, Wang added. At the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing last September, President Xi put forward six proposals and 10 partnership actions for jointly advancing modernisation.
MTV Lebanon
6 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Kataeb reaffirms commitment to sovereignty, says time's up for illegal arms and parallel authority
The Kataeb's Political Bureau held its weekly meeting under the chairmanship of the party's Vice President, Dr. Bernard Gerbaka. Following discussions on the recent electoral process and the developments surrounding it, the Bureau issued the following statement: 1. As the final phase of Lebanon's municipal and local elections concluded, the Kataeb Party extends its congratulations to all those who contributed to the successful execution of this democratic milestone. While serious violations were observed, they do not undermine or invalidate the overall success of the elections. The party especially thanks the Ministries of Interior and Justice, along with the judiciary, public officials, and staff who ensured the smooth conduct of the elections and safeguarded their integrity at polling stations. The Kataeb Party also congratulates all elected candidates, particularly the individuals and electoral lists it supported across various regions. These candidates achieved noteworthy results and secured a strong presence across multiple districts. A detailed review of these outcomes and their broader implications will be shared soon. Reaffirming its commitment to national principles, the Kataeb Political Bureau emphasized that the party will remain steadfast on its path of transparency and integrity. It firmly believes that the Lebanese people deserve better governance, and that meaningful, principled political engagement remains the only viable path to rescuing the country from its compounding crises. 2. The Political Bureau categorically rejects the recent comments made by MP Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah's 'Loyalty to the Resistance' parliamentary bloc, in response to a speech by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The party views Raad's remarks as evasive and misleading, asserting that such rhetoric only serves to obscure the core issue and delay urgently needed solutions. The Bureau warned that this continued deflection does nothing but prolong Lebanon's status as a hostage to power dynamics enforced by armed coercion. The suggestion that Hezbollah is in a position to dictate terms to the state is completely unacceptable. This issue is not up for discussion or negotiation. Now more than ever, the issue of illegal arms has become a top national priority that must be addressed without further delay or maneuvering. Ending all forms of unlawful weaponry is now imperative for preserving state sovereignty and restoring its full authority.
