KELLY CHAN

Updated at 5.44pm:
A mainland justice official on Monday met with Secretary of Justice Elsie Leung Leung Oi-si in Hong Kong to discuss legal issues arising from the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

A government spokesman said that Beijing’s Vice-Minister of Justice Duan Zhengkun was on a a six-day visit to Hong Kong at the invitation of Mrs Leung.

At the meeting, Mr Duan and Ms Leung discussed opportunities open to the Hong Kong and mainland legal professions under Cepa. They also examined ways to further enhance co-operation between China’s and Hong Kong’s lawyers.

Apart from the Department of Justice, Mr Duan will meet with members of the judiciary, the Bar Association, the Law Society, the Legal Aid Department, the Legislative Council, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Correctional Services Department.

Mr Duan will leave Hong Kong on Thursday. Last week, the second phase of Cepa was signed. It will mean that 11 per cent of the eligible product categories are to be free from mainland customs duties. The products include textiles and clothing, food and beverages, drugs and some plastic and metal products.