Negotiations at the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference are intensifying, Assistant Director-General of Trade & Industry Rosanna Law says, adding Hong Kong is pushing for an ambitious formula to deliver real tariff reductions.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Ms Law said discussion on non-agriculture market access is concentrating on the structure of the tariff-reduction formula, including flexibility for developing countries.

Views are mixed but members generally agree that higher tariffs should be subject to higher cuts, Ms Law noted.

Progress linked to agriculture talks

"Hong Kong is now pushing for an ambitious formula to deliver real tariff reduction, particularly for products of export interest to developing countries. Our objective is shared by the majority of the members, but real progress links to the progress on agriculture."

On agriculture, discussions focus on the possibility of setting an end-date at the MC6 for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies.

On services, Ms Law said Hong Kong continues to work with WTO members to secure ministerial endorsement of the direction and approaches set out in the draft ministerial declaration.

Hong Kong would like to see negotiations intensify in the area of exports - of interest to Hong Kong services providers, she added.

Members urged to exercise flexibility

On development, discussion focuses on the question of "duty-free and quota-free access" for least-developed countries. Hong Kong fully supports this initiative and will spend more effort in all informal meetings to push for its adoption.

Ms Law urges all WTO members to exercise flexibility and pragmatism to bring about a successful outcome.

On the transport font, Principal Transport Officer Albert Su said the traffic on Hong Kong Island was busy this morning.

He expected the traffic on the Island will continue to be congested as more people may go to the affected for shopping and other leisure activities during the weekend.

Noting the anti-WTO demonstrators may accelerate their actions in the coming days, Mr Su said they may need to close more roads for longer periods of time.

He reminded people to avoid driving to the affected areas and stay tuned to the Government's updates.

Public are also reminded to pay attention to the special arrangements for two processions to be held tomorrow morning and in the afternoon.

Police facilitate peaceful demonstrations

Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Alfred Ma said protesters staged a number of processions today without giving prior notifications to the Police Force.

He said it is understandable that overseas protesters may have difficulties in fulfiling the requirement of giving a notification seven days before the public processions.

As long as demonstrators conduct their activities in a peaceful and orderly manner, the Police will do their best to facilitate them, Mr Ma said.

However, the Police will not tolerate any violent actions that cause public safety problems.

Well-prepared for any incidents

On speculations about the possibilities of Korean protesters upgrading their actions in the coming days, Mr Ma said the Police are well-prepared for any unforeseeable incidents and will take appropriate measures.

On the African delegate who has malaria, MC6 Co-ordination Office Head Janet Wong said the patient has been transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital in stable condition.