Cooperation in judicial assistance between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong has been improved, according to a meeting between delegates of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Jan 18.

At the meeting, Zhou Qiang, president of the SPC, praised the signing of the document on judicial assistance over civil and commercial matters between courts in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and the enforcement of civil and commercial cases.

Zhou said the agreement fully covers civil and commercial judicial assistance between the two parties, with the benefits of cutting down the costs of judicial proceedings, protecting the parties' rights and interests and deepening the relationship between the people of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Justice Chief Teresa Cheng showed her willingness to increase judicial exchanges with the SPC to promote more judicial cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

Also present at the meeting was Yang Wanming, vice-president of the SPC.