Chinese Ministry of Justice issues certificates to 159 Hong Kong public notaries

The Ministry of Justice on Tuesday certified 159 Hong Kong lawyers as public notaries, authorizing them to continue acting as agents for legal affairs in mainland areas for Hong Kong residents and firms.

The ministry has commissioned 374 public notaries since the system was launched in 1981, who have contributed to the harmonious development and common prosperity of Hong Kong and mainland areas, Minister of Justice Wu Aiying said.

The commissioned public notaries have notarized more than 1 million documents since 1992, Wu added.

At a symposium marking the 30th anniversary of the system, State Councilor Liu Yandong said the system settled the question of using legal documents in both mainland areas and Hong Kong which have different legal systems and thereby safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of parties concerned.

Facts have shown that the central government's decision on the commissioned public notary system is correct and practice of the system is successful, Liu said.

She called on the commissioned public notaries to safeguard the prosperity and stability of the country and Hong Kong and serve the economic and social development in mainland areas and Hong Kong.

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