The Hong Kong Bar Association’s chairman, Jose Antonio Maurellet, on Thursday said its delegation had shared with Beijing officials why maintaining the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong is essential.

Maurellet was speaking on the final day of the association’s visit to Beijing.

"The Bar has truly reflected our views on legal matters which our members and members of the public in Hong Kong are interested in," he said.

"We are of the view that this type of professional exchanges on purely legal matters will assist the Hong Kong legal community to maintain its unique and advantageous status and continue to play the role of super-connector in the national development."

Meanwhile, Maurellet said the association would set up a new group to study ways to strengthen the law after the deadly Tai Po fire.

The goal is to improve building safety and crack down on bid-rigging, he said.

"Bid-rigging is already covered under competition law, but is it worth studying whether we should consider a specific criminal offence for bid-rigging? Would that increase the deterrent effect?" he said.

He said the group would also look at whether rules for construction materials should be tightened.