New element: Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says he will consider the tourism element when deciding the West Kowloon Cultural Project's way forward.

A high-level committee, headed by Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui, will oversee planning and co-ordination of the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference to be held in Hong Kong this December.

Speaking to the media at the Central Government Offices, Mr Hui said the conference is important to Hong Kong, an externally-oriented and small economy, adding the event will, apart from economic and trade matters, involve a number of security and traffic management issues.

He stressed there is a need to ensure the safety of participants and the public. To keep inconvenience to affected shops to the minimum, the Government will seek shop owners' support on the issue, he added.

Cultural project to include tourism

On the West Kowloon Cultural Development, Mr Hui said tourism and culture are closely related and he will consider the tourism element when deciding the project's way forward.

He said public views gauged during the consultation and lawmakers' report on the project are under study, adding the idea of setting up an authority to oversee the project is worth serious consideration. Lawmakers will be informed of the project's progress in September.

Mr Hui reiterated the Government should not entirely manage and handle the project. It will involve public participation, although the timing has yet to be decided.

Political reform top priority

Turning to political reform, Mr Hui said the timing is tight as sufficient time is needed for consultation and the ensuing legislative process.

He noted the issue is the Government's top priority and hopes the fifth report will be tabled to the Legislative Council as soon as possible. When asked whether the report will be presented in the form of a white bill, Mr Hui said this is still under consideration.