Law Society of Hong Kong strengthens cross-border ties at 2026 Shenzhen Legal Services Exposition

The Law Society of Hong Kong actively participated in the 2026 Shenzhen Legal Services Exposition over the weekend of 29–30 August, advancing professional exchanges and cross-border collaboration through its GBA Express programme.

As the mainland’s first professional exposition dedicated exclusively to legal services, the third edition of the event was held under the theme “Service Integrates Manufacturing, Rule of Law Links the World.” It brought together legal professionals, institutions and stakeholders from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and overseas at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian. The Law Society served as a co-organiser and maintained a presence throughout both days of the exposition.

At the opening ceremony, Law Society President Roden Tong Man-lung joined representatives from regional lawyers’ associations across the GBA to co-sign the *Initiative on the Application of Artificial Intelligence by Lawyers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area*. The initiative reflects a shared consensus on the responsible use of AI in legal practice. Its core principles include maintaining lawyer-led oversight, safeguarding information security and client confidentiality, deepening cross-jurisdictional cooperation, and promoting the healthy, orderly development of smart legal services.

Speaking at the “Building an Asia-Pacific Legal Services Ecosystem – APEC Legal Services International Cooperation” forum, Tong underlined that the rule of law remains an essential cornerstone for investment, innovation and cross-border cooperation. He reiterated his longstanding philosophy that “law comes first,” noting that sustainable development rests on confidence, and confidence in turn is built on the rule of law.

Throughout the expo, the Law Society operated a dedicated promotional booth to showcase Hong Kong’s legal services, highlight the distinctive strengths of the city’s common law system, and deepen connections with business and legal stakeholders across the GBA.

The participation forms part of the Law Society’s broader GBA Express series, which aims to foster professional dialogue and explore collaboration opportunities with mainland counterparts. The exposition itself featured expanded exhibition space, an inaugural APEC international legal services zone, and multiple forums focused on practical exchange, legal technology and regional cooperation.