China's Hong Kong expects to increase legal co-op with Vietnam

HANOI, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung said here Monday that Hong Kong is discussing with Vietnam on three legal agreements to expand judicial cooperation.

The agreements cover the mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, surrender of fugitives and transfer of sentenced persons, said Wong.

Wong said that the increase in trade and investment between China's Hong Kong and Vietnam creates the demand for enhancing cooperation in legal area.

In the first nine months this year, bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Vietnam went up 13 percent year-on-year, according to Wong. Besides, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination for Hong Kong travelers.

Last year, Hong Kong and Vietnam signed a double taxation avoidance agreement to facilitate trade and investment.

Wong encourages Vietnamese companies and businessmen to utilize the International Arbitration Center (IAC) in Hong Kong for dispute settlement with partners from other countries or regions.

Disputes between Vietnamese companies and foreign partners would be unavoidable as Vietnam integrated into the world economy, said Wong.

In this regards, the IAC would be a good option in Asia for Vietnamese businessmen for its expertise for arbitration and capacity to effectively enforce the awards for disputes, according to Wong.