By this orignating summons, the Plaintiffs seek leave to enforce an arbitration award in their favour dated the 8th January 1991 made by the China International Economic & Trade Arbritation Commission (CIETAC) of The People's Republic of China.

Hong Kong is a party to the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards by reason of the United Kingdom's accession on its behalf in 1977. China acceded to the Convention in 1987.

Part IV of the Arbitration ordinance Cap. 341 (ss41-46) provides the statutory underpinning of Hong Kong's New York Convention obligations. Section 44 provides as follows: