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HONG KONG, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Hong Kong trade official on Saturday urged
all World Trade Organization (WTO) members to make full use of the remaining
time for a successful outcome.
Speaking at the WTO ministerial conference being held at the Hong Kong Convention
and Exhibition Center, Assistant Director-General of Trade and Industry
Rosanna Law said Hong Kong, as the host of the conference, expects intensive
negotiations to continue until the end, urging WTO members to work hard
to reach a consensus.
The week-long conference is scheduled to close Sunday, but the Hong Kong
official did not give the exact time.
Meanwhile, anti-WTO demonstrations in downtown Wan Chai district escalated
with protesters trying to break into the Convention and Exhibition Center. One
policeman and four protesters were injured during the fight.
"Negotiations are at a critical stage," Law admitted.
She said that Hong Kong backed the revised draft of Ministerial Declaration circulated
by the WTO Secretariat Saturday, which provided a feasible foundation for
members to enter into the final stage of negotiations.
She added Hong Kong expected a workable basis for further negotiations on
services in 2006.
On development, Law noted that details in relation to the elimination of
export subsidies and reduction of domestic support for cotton have been
inserted.
However, she said, "Details on duty- and quota-free access for least developed countries as a whole are subject to further negotiations in the remainder of the Conference." Enditem |