On a recent visit to the North Bund International Legal Service Port, Hongkou District Party Secretary Li Qian conducted an on-site review of the project’s progress.
The district’s leadership also hosted a working meeting to discuss the next steps in the development of the major legal service initiative.
Li emphasized the importance of upgrading the legal services sector, stating that this effort is not only a key driver for the district’s current development but also a critical step toward increasing its influence in the future.
He highlighted the essential role the North Bund International Legal Service Port will play in enhancing the district's competitiveness, improving the business environment, and fostering high-end service industries.
The development of the Legal Service Port, Li explained, should reflect a comprehensive, one-stop, and shared service ecosystem, catering to the diverse legal needs of various market players.
The port’s layout will emphasize “one core, one belt, one court,” with a spatial design and organizational framework that promotes the gathering of high-end legal services in Hongkou.
He urged continued innovation, particularly the integration of legal technology with traditional services, to push forward the modernization and upgrade of legal service models.
Li stressed the need for a well-thought-out development plan, including a top-level design and clear work measures to ensure smooth collaboration across various agencies.
Establishing a dedicated task force, clarifying departmental responsibilities, and optimizing resource integration will be key to ensuring the port's early operational success.
Li urged the team to also focus on planning future activities and promotional efforts to raise the visibility and influence of the International Legal Service Port.
In late 2023, Hongkou outlined its ambition to build the North Bund International Legal Service Port in alignment with the Shanghai International Legal Service Center’s goals and the global Asia-Pacific Arbitration Center.
A three-year action plan (2024-2026) was issued to boost the scale, quality, and internationalization of Hongkou's legal services sector.
The port will focus on key legal services such as legal consultation, notarization, judicial appraisal, mediation, arbitration, administrative review, and litigation.
It will also integrate tax accounting, high-end business services, modern finance, intellectual property, and technology services, creating a comprehensive legal service ecosystem that links Shanghai with the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and global markets.