Police believe the risk of a terrorist attack on Hong Kong during the WTO's Sixth Ministerial Meeting is medium, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Speaking on a radio talk show today, Mr Lee said Police preparations for the meeting began a year ago. They are well prepared, determined to keep the peace, and have the ability to handle any violence that may occur.

While respecting freedom of speech, he hopes all demonstrations will be conducted in a peaceful manner.

He believed that most of the demonstrators will be law-abiding and only a few may resort to violence. If they try to derail the meeting, the police will take immediate and robust action, he said.

Mr Lee said the authorities have been maintaining good communication with the non-governmental organisations to facilitate their demonstration requests.

The authorities have, for the first time in the history of WTO ministerial meetings, designated two areas for demonstrations close to the exhibition centre, allowing the demonstrators to see the meeting venue, he said.

Mr Lee said part of the Wan Chai district will be set as restricted area from 6pm, December 12 to 19 to allow the smooth running of the meeting.

He said the arrangement will bring some inconveniences and called on the public to be calm and co-operative.