IOMed to provide a new platform for peaceful settlement of international disputes: Chinese FM

(ECNS) -- The inauguration ceremony of the Preparatory Office of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Thursday.

The IOMed will be an inter-governmental, treaty-based international legal organization established through consultations among all parties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at the press conference on Friday.

It is committed to provide friendly, flexible, cost-effective and convenient mediation services for international disputes, the spokesperson said.

He pointed out since last year, China has signed the Joint Statement on the Establishment of the IOMed with relevant countries to initiate such an organization.

It will be a useful supplement to the existing dispute resolution institutions and means of dispute resolution, providing a new platform for the peaceful settlement of international disputes, he added.

Wang said setting up the Preparatory Office in accordance with the joint statement is an important step towards the establishment of the IOMed.

The Preparatory Office will start inter-governmental negotiations on an international convention on the establishment of the IOMed and other matters in the first half of this year, according to the spokesperson.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and State Councilor Wang Yi sent a letter to the inauguration ceremony of the Preparatory Office of the IOMed to offer his congratulations. Foreign Minister Qin Gang delivered a video address as the representative of the founding members and Signatory States. Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee and ministerial officials from signatories of the joint statement delivered video remarks respectively.