'Lawyers told to protect HK's signature rule of law'
Beijing's office overseeing Hong Kong affairs on Thursday said barristers should safeguard the rule of law, which it described as the hallmark of the SAR, according to the chairman of the Bar Association.  Legal officials from the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office also told the association's 20-strong delegation visiting Beijing that they hoped lawyers would better understand national affairs, policies and laws, and do their part in contributing to the country.  Victor Dawes, the chairman of the association, said the meeting with the office's legal department in the capital had touched on other issues, such as the national security law and the importance of the judiciary's independence.  "We were, of course, encouraged to have further communications with officials from that office," Dawes told reporters.  The delegation also visited Peking University and exchanged views with the head of its law school, Guo Li, its professors and students.  Dawes said they talked about bringing back a common law course ran by the association and the university, which was suspended due to Covid-19.  He added that the group had a "very extensive discussion on issues concerning Hong Kong" with the Supreme People's Court.  The delegation will visit the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the All China Lawyers Association on Friday.