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Hosting the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was necessary if Hong Kong was to maintain its ranking as a world-class international city, Chief Secretary Mr Rafael Hui told members of the Hong Kong Exporters' Association Christmas luncheon today (December 9).
"For Hong Kong to sustain our world-class position, we need to continuously show to the world that we have what it takes to be an international city and hence, hosting MC6, and hosting it successfully, is both natural and necessary," Mr Hui said.
He said the conference had put Hong Kong squarely in the international limelight. "It is a testimony to the world to Hong Kong・s professionalism, efficiency and hospitability. It will highlight the 'guts' of what makes Hong Kong tick and our success as Asia・s world city: a free, open, tolerant and outward-looking society as well as a responsible international player."
Mr Hui acknowledged that some people in the community had questioned why Hong Kong should suffer the inconvenience and pay for the direct and indirect costs of hosting the WTO・s Sixth Ministerial Conference (MC6), which starts on Tuesday (December 13). "To members of the Exporters・ Association, the answer of course is obvious," he said. "But to those that have doubts, my answer is as follows. Being a world-class international city is not a matter of vanity. It is part and parcel of our continued prosperity."
Mr Hui said the importance of a global environment governed by predictable trade rules could not be over-emphasised, adding that Hong Kong was a good example of the prosperity that flowed from free trade. "Protectionism, as economists have amply explained, will only do harm to those who initiate, and those who are at the receiving end of, protectionist measures," he said. "It is therefore imperative that we should work hard to enhance and strengthen the multilateral trading system enshrined in the World Trade Organization."
Mr Hui commended the Hong Kong Exporters' Association for its role in making Hong Kong a leading world trading partner. "You have done an exemplary job in promoting Hong Kong・s trade over the years," he said.
"Hong Kong is endowed with an enviable geographical location in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite our small size, we are the world・s 11th largest trading entity in goods. Our total exports amounted to over $2,000 billion in 2004, an increase of 16% over 2003. For the first nine months this year, our total exports reached almost $1,700 billion. Our total trade is actually more than three times our GDP."
The Chief Secretary outlined the various initiatives the Government had taken to increase the community・s understanding of the WTO and to enlist public support for the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference. "We have been explaining to the public, through a wide variety of channels and activities, what the WTO is about, the progress of the ongoing negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda, the objectives of the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, and most important of all, the contribution of free trade to global economic development.
"In addition, we have briefed relevant organisations on the special security and transport arrangements in the vicinity of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre during the conference period. For example, we have kept the relevant District Councils (DCs) in the picture and have listened to the views of DC Members. We have also conducted a large number of briefings to explain directly to the public the possible impact on them and to give adequate advance information to the private sector."
Mr Hui said that in the run-up to the Ministerial Conference, the Government would continue to update the public on the security and transport arrangements in order to minimise inconvenience.
Ends/Friday, December 9, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:52
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