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Transcript of remarks by SCED at media session (with photo/video)
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at a media session today (December 22) on the ruling made by the Panel established under the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body on the origin marking requirement imposed on Hong Kong products by the United States (US):
 
Reporter: The measure has been in place for around two years, can you actually quantify what is the financial impact it has had on Hong Kong manufacturers and businesses? My second question is, in May 2020, a man was arrested for breaching the trade descriptions law after selling face masks with the label "Not Made in China". Given that the Hong Kong Government opposes the mandatory "Made in China" label, can local manufacturers instead choose to label their goods "Not Made in China"?
 
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Let me answer your first question. For trade between Hong Kong and the United States, the total export (to the US) is only about 0.1 per cent of the (value of the) total export of Hong Kong, amounting to $7.4 billion, which is very minimal. The whole spirit is to uphold the status and position of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the WTO as a separate customs territory. Even though the financial implication is minimal, it caused a lot of confusion to customers regarding "Made in Hong Kong" or "Made in China". It also caused unnecessary concern by manufacturers to separate the production into "Made in Hong Kong" and "Made in China" for doing their business.
      
     Regarding the second question, for all products going to be shipped to the United States, they have to fulfil the current restrictions imposed on us unnecessarily for customs clearance and declaration. Manufacturers and companies are fulfilling these requirements for the time being. We urge the United States Government to lift the restrictions as quickly as possible according to the recommendation and report by the Panel.
 
Reporter: The US said it did not intend to remove the marking requirement, so what will be the follow-up actions by the Government?
 
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: As said earlier, there is an appeal mechanism available in the WTO. If they do not agree with the report by the Panel, they can appeal through the Dispute Settlement Body within 60 days. If they do not appeal, then the report will be passed to adopt. If they appeal, we will pay attention to the development and the progress, and we will consider what action to be taken next.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
 
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 13:15
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Today's Press Releases  

Photo

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (centre), meets the media today (December 22) on the ruling made by the panel established under the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body on the origin marking requirement imposed on Hong Kong products by the United States.

Audio / Video

SCED meets the media