News Desk

On May 30, China signed a new international convention to establish the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), a global dispute resolution body to be headquartered in Hong Kong. Beijing has hailed the initiative as a significant diplomatic step toward reshaping the international legal order and strengthening China’s soft power. The move is also seen as an effort to reinforce Hong Kong’s reputation as a leading international business and legal center.

The signing ceremony, led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, brought together representatives from 31 countries, including Serbia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and Venezuela. The newly formed body aims to serve as an intergovernmental platform for resolving international conflicts through mediation-a process that involves neutral third parties helping disputants reach amicable agreements without resorting to litigation or arbitration.

Wang Yi described the formation of IOMed as a necessary step to promote global peace and cooperation. “The birth of IOMed will help transcend the zero-sum mentality of ‘win or lose,’ promote the amicable resolution of international disputes, and build more harmonious international relations,” he said during the signing.

The Hong Kong government emphasized that IOMed would be the world’s first intergovernmental organization solely dedicated to mediation. Officials claim that its functions are “on par with” established international institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Though IOMed’s full operations are not expected to commence until late 2025 or early 2026, the symbolism of its creation is significant. It marks China’s growing efforts to present alternative global governance frameworks amid what it perceives as Western-dominated institutions. Beijing has been expanding its influence in global bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization, especially in the years following the Trump administration’s retreat from multilateralism.

Observers also see the move as part of a broader campaign to restore confidence in Hong Kong’s legal and business environment. The city has faced mounting international criticism since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020, raising concerns over judicial independence and the erosion of civil liberties.

Paul Lam, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice, described IOMed as a strategic response to what he called “hostile external forces” seeking to “de-internationalise and de-functionalise” Hong Kong. Writing in a local newspaper, Lam argued that IOMed will showcase Hong Kong’s unique status under the “one country, two systems” framework and its continuing relevance in global affairs.

However, skepticism remains. Critics point out that China has previously ignored international legal rulings, most notably the 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines over disputed South China Sea claims. China refused to participate in that case and has dismissed the ruling as illegitimate.

Despite these concerns, IOMed represents China’s latest step toward shaping international norms on its own terms. As global power dynamics continue to shift, the success or failure of this new mediation body could significantly influence how disputes are resolved in an increasingly multipolar world.