China launches mediation organization in Hong Kong to rival World Court

China has officially launched a new international mediation body in Hong Kong, aiming to position it as a global alternative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). On Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over a ceremony that ratified the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed). The event drew representatives from several countries, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Laos, Cambodia, and Serbia, as well as delegates from 20 international organizations, such as the United Nations.

According to a promotional video shown during the signing, IOMed will handle a wide range of disputes—ranging from conflicts between states to disagreements involving foreign nationals or private international parties.

China envisions this new body as a key component of its strategy to elevate Hong Kong’s role as a global center for mediation, in hopes of revitalizing the city’s international image. A commentary in the state-run Global Times hailed IOMed as the first intergovernmental legal institution focused entirely on mediation, stating that it addresses a significant void in global dispute-resolution mechanisms.

The piece emphasized that IOMed’s launch marks a significant step in international governance and promotes the peaceful settlement of conflicts.

The ICJ, often called the World Court, currently serves as the top legal body for resolving disputes among UN member states and offers advisory opinions to UN entities. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu claimed that IOMed would have a status comparable to the ICJ and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. He added that the institution is expected to create jobs and generate economic benefits for Hong Kong, including growth in sectors like tourism and transportation.

Since returning to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong has experienced prolonged economic stagnation. Investor concerns have intensified due to Beijing’s tightening grip over the territory and uncertainties surrounding China’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

Justice Secretary Paul Lam, writing in the South China Morning Post, argued that IOMed could counter efforts by foreign forces to undermine Hong Kong’s international status. He stated that the mediation body would strengthen Hong Kong’s position under the “one country, two systems” framework by enhancing its role as a center for international dispute resolution.

The IOMed headquarters will be located in a former police station in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district and is expected to open by late 2025 or early 2026.