Wang Yi ushers in new era of China-led mediation with Hong Kong-based legal body

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spearheaded a signing ceremony in Hong Kong on Friday to establish the world’s first intergovernmental organisation dedicated to mediation, which he said would transcend “you-lose-I-win” mindsets and improve representation of the Global South.

Most of the 33 signatories of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation were African countries, such as Algeria, Ethiopia and Cameroon. Alongside them were five countries – including Pakistan, Laos and Indonesia – from Asia, five from Latin America and the Caribbean, five from Oceania and two from Europe.

Wang, China’s top diplomat, said the new legal body would fill the “institutional gap” in international mediation and serve as “an important public good” in the field of the rule of law, ensuring better global governance.

“The birth of the mediation centre will help transcend the ‘you-lose-I-win’ zero-sum mentality, promote the amicable resolution of international disputes and foster more harmonious international relations,” Wang told the audience.

The body’s headquarters, located at the former Wan Chai Police Station, is due to open by the end of this year or early 2026.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the setting up of the organisation was increasingly important given the “mounting geopolitical tensions” globally and protectionism that threatened to derail the international trade order.