The Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, met the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), Mr AN Min, in Hong Kong today (March 27) for the second High Level Consultations on the Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
During the meeting, Financial Secretary and Vice Minister An Min reviewed the progress of the consultations since their formal commencement in January 2002. Both sides expressed satisfaction with what has been achieved so far.
On Trade in Goods, both sides agreed to devise an appropriate set of origin rules, to reduce and eliminate tariffs and non-tariff measures under the CEPA. In accordance with the principle that the consultations should be progressive, they also agreed that results should be implemented as soon as possible.
Both sides conducted serious exchanges on Trade in Services which was more complicated as many different services sectors were involved. They agreed to launch sector-specific direct consultations and instructed relevant agencies to commence necessary follow-up work as soon as possible after the meeting.
The Financial Secretary and Vice Minister An Min also exchanged views on the other aspects of the CEPA. Both found further work in Trade and Investment Facilitation helpful in lowering business costs and important in promoting trade and investment between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Both sides instructed their officials to continue active consultations on subjects under Trade and Investment Facilitation, including customs cooperation and e-commerce, and to explore other areas where further cooperation was possible.
In addition to Vice Minister An Min, the Central Peopleˇ¦s Government delegation included Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Office of the State Council, Mr Chen Zuo'er, as well as officials of the MOFTEC, Ministry of Finance, State Economic and Trade Commission, State Development Planning Commission, Customs General Administration, the Hong Kong and Macao Office of the State Council, and Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. During their stay in Hong Kong, the delegation visited a customs control point, a certification of origin issuing organisation and a number of local factories.
Members of the HKSAR delegation included Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr CHAU Tak Hay; Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Joshua Law; Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Raymond Wong; Government Economist, Mr K Y Tang, as well as officials of the Commerce and Industry Bureau, Trade and Industry Department and the Financial Secretary's Office.
Since the formal commencement of high level consultations in Beijing at the end of January 2002, senior officials of both sides have been actively following up the relevant work. They have met several times for consultations on various aspects of the CEPA and to prepare for today's meeting.
The third High Level Consultations are tentatively scheduled for late May 2002 in Beijing. Prior to that, senior officials will liaise closely to take forward the proposal with a view to achieving continuous progress.
End/Wednesday, March 27, 2002
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