5th Belt and Road Conference_EN
5th Belt and Road Conference_EN

PhotosVideos

Introduction

Over 5 billion people have gone online, and as the world moves from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, the metaverse is fast expanding, bringing about convergence of the digital and physical worlds, ushering in a new era of development in AI, digital currency and settlement systems. Where are the opportunities and can we together identify and overcome the legal, regulatory and geopolitical barriers hindering growth?  

As part of the Department of Justice’s Hong Kong Legal Week 2022, The Law Society of Hong Kong’s 5th Belt and Road Conference themed “Metaverse and Money on the Belt and Road” was held on Thursday, 10 November 2022 in a hybrid format, attracting a record-high registration of over 1,400 participants from 37 jurisdictions. 

Theme
Metaverse and Money on the Belt and Road


 

         
Date
10 November 2022 (Thursday)
 
Time
09:00 - 17:45 (Hong Kong Time)
 
Format
Hybrid
 
Language
English 
(supported by simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua & Cantonese)
 
CPD Points
6 CPD points will be accredited
 

 


Conference Programme

Time (HKT) Programme
09:00 – 09:50
Opening Ceremony


Welcome Remarks

Opening Addresses

  • The Hon Paul LAM Ting-kwok, SBS, SC, JP
    Secretary for Justice, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
  • Mr. FANG Jianming 
    Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
09:50 – 10:00
Group Photos
10:00 – 10:20
Break
10:20 – 11:35
Regulating the Metaverse


Session 1 - What kind of metaverse do we wish to build and share along the Belt and Road? 
The panel discussion will focus on ethics, law, harmony, cultural exchange, data privacy/sovereignty and portability, protection of young people, creating opportunities, breaking platform monopolies.

Moderator

Panelists

11:35 – 11:50
Break
11:50 – 13:05
Regulating the Metaverse


Session 2 - How do we protect the metaverse and digital space from online falsehood, defamation, and misinformation in the metaverse and digital space?
The panel discussion will focus on legal reforms and developments in the metaverse and digital space, and giving us a reality check on the state of cyber-crime, defamation and misinformation, and ways and means to maintain a fair, open and honest metaverse and digital space.

Moderator

  • Mr. Nick CHAN, MH, JP 
    Director, Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre

Panelists

13:15 – 14:30
Lunch (for invited guests only)
14:45 – 16:00
Money on the Belt and Road


Session 3 - Towards a new “global currency’’ to reduce barriers to trade?
Is there and should there be new “global curreny(ies)” to facilitate international trade? Come and explore whether we can increase trade along countries that are part of the Belt and Road Initiative as we discuss the deployment, development, opportunities and challenges of designating/using a new global currency, and the role and use of cryptos, digital currencies, DeFi, DAOs and blockchain technologies.

Moderator

Panelists

  • Ms. Elena AVAKYAN 
    Vice President, The Russian Federal Bar Association
  • Mr. Eddie TAM, MPPM
    CEO, CIO and Portfolio Manager, Central Asset Investments
  • Dr. Stephen WONG
    Senior Vice President & Executive Director of Public Policy Institute, Our Hong Kong Foundation
16:00 – 16:15
Break
16:15 – 17:30
Money on the Belt and Road


Session 4 - How do we deal with currency, payment issues and digital assets in negotiating and enforcing contracts?
Some people have their new digital identity and persona which they use to interact and do business in the cyberworld. Are there tax, security, data privacy, law enforcement or ethical considerations, and if things go wrong, do we lean on Smart Contracts and are there ways to resolve NFT drop mishaps or breach/flaw of whitepapers? Do digital currencies need a central issuer?  What are the practical issues faced by professionals around the world in dealing with currency, payment issues and digital assets in negotiating and enforcing contracts? 

Moderator

Panelists

  • Mr. William BRYDIE-WATSON
    Senior Legal Officer, The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
  • Mr. Joseph CHAN Ho-lim, JP
    Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
  • Dr. James DING 
    Law Officer (International Law) of the Department of Justice, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
  • Mr. Hon NG 
    General Counsel, Binance
17:30 – 17:45
Closing Remarks
  • Mr. Fred KAN 
    Chairman of Belt and Road Conference Organising Committee, The Law Society of Hong Kong
17:45 
End of Event

 


5th Belt and Road Conference Organising Committee

Fred Kan (Chairman) Nick Chan (Vice-Chairman) Rico Chan Joyce Cheng
Neville Cheng Heidi Chui Julianne Doe Raphael Hui
Stephen Hung Olivia Kung Karen Lam Winnie Lee
Daniel Leung William Ling Daphne Lo David Luk
Amirali Nasir Carmen Ng Melissa Pang Hin Han Shum
Thomas So Roden Tong William Tong Richard Tsun
Careen Wong James Wong Louise Wong Philip Wong
Ann Yeung

 


Supporting Organisations

         

 


Note:

  • In alphabetical order of family name
  • The programme is subject to change without prior notice