[RM=480,360,true]http://4english.cn/speeches/wto_hk2005.rm[/RM]
                First of all, I wish to extend a warm Hong Kong welcome to all <BR>                of you. Hong Kong, China is deeply honoured to be the host of <BR>                the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation.&lt;/p&gt;<BR>               This week, under this very roof, we have a once-in-a-generation <BR>                opportunity to enhance the existing international trading environment; <BR>                to generate wealth on a broader and deeper scale globally; and, <BR>                most important of all, to help alleviate the pain of poverty for <BR>                millions of people living in the poorer parts of this world. I <BR>                am pleased that Hong Kong, China is today at the centre of this <BR>                admirable enterprise.<BR>              I cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of the WTO. <BR>                It is the only international organization that deals with the <BR>                rules of trade between economies. It is the rules-based forum <BR>                at which 149 Member Economies negotiate agreements and resolve <BR>                disputes over trade issues. <BR>              The WTO is also a powerful force in countering the currents <BR>                of protectionism and discrimination which are responsible to a <BR>                large extent for the economic hardship suffered by less wealthy <BR>                and less well-endowed economies. And, ultimately, the WTO is a <BR>                key component in the global effort to attain the United Nations' <BR>                Millennium Goal of Development in tackling the scourge of poverty <BR>                and hunger.<BR>              Nor can I over-emphasise the importance of the WTO to Hong Kong. <BR>                As a small, externally-oriented economy with no natural resources <BR>                other than a magnificent deep water port, Hong Kong has relied <BR>                on free trade and an entrepreneurial and hardworking population <BR>                to transform this once sleepy fishing village into an international <BR>                and regional business hub.<BR>               So I urge you to take some time during the next few days, and <BR>                after the conference if you can, to look around our great city. <BR>                You will see why President Bill Clinton once described Hong Kong <BR>                as Exhibit A in the case for global interdependence and its benefits.<BR>              As a free trader, our support for the multilateral trading system <BR>                is unconditional. And it goes back a long way. We became a separate <BR>                Contracting Party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade <BR>                in 1986. We were a founding Member of the WTO in 1995. Our Membership <BR>                did not change after reunification in 1997. Indeed, Hong Kong's <BR>                continued participation in the WTO, and in international trade <BR>                agreements under the name &amp;quot;Hong Kong, China&amp;quot;, is enshrined <BR>                in the Basic Law, the constitution of the Hong Kong Special Administrative <BR>                Region. We treasure the certainty, protection and benefits that <BR>                the WTO brings to our economy and community.<BR>              We offered to host this Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference because <BR>                we recognized that it would become a key staging post to the successful <BR>                conclusion of the multilateral trade negotiations under the Doha <BR>                Development Agenda. We want to play our part in the collective <BR>                effort to realize the ambitions of the Round. We regard the WTO <BR>                Members' acceptance of our offer as a recognition of our contribution <BR>                to the multilateral trading system, and an acknowledgement of <BR>                our competence as a world city in handling whatever challenges <BR>                that may arise from the Ministerial Conference.<BR>               We in Hong Kong are determined to make this important event <BR>                a success. Secretary John Tsang is committed to creating an environment <BR>                of comfort for all delegates to conduct negotiations freely, frankly <BR>                and constructively in the coming days. He has travelled the globe <BR>                taking part in many of the key meetings which have paved the way <BR>                for the negotiations that will take place over the next few days.<BR>             Thousands of men and women in our community - civil servants, <BR>                legislators, District Councillors, NGO members, business leaders, <BR>                service providers, volunteers, and citizens of Hong Kong - have <BR>                been working tirelessly since the WTO accepted our offer to host <BR>                this Conference two years ago. We have a common objective: we <BR>                want to stage a Conference that is well organized, transparent, <BR>                inclusive, and above all, efficient. The fruits of this community-wide <BR>                endeavour are now before you.<BR>              Ladies and gentlemen, we are at an historic juncture. Trade <BR>                liberalization and economic growth is a permanent goal for all <BR>                of us as WTO Members. While I acknowledge that in some parts of <BR>                the world this goal is seen as a threat rather than an opportunity, <BR>                the negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda must press <BR>                ahead. We must vigorously defend the integrity and effectiveness <BR>                of the multilateral trading system.<BR>               This Conference is a golden opportunity for us to demonstrate <BR>                our collective resolve to improve the lives of peoples throughout <BR>                the world through progressive trade liberalization. That is what <BR>                we committed ourselves to do when the Round was launched four <BR>                years ago in Doha.<BR>              This week, all eyes are on Hong Kong. As host and Chair of the <BR>                Conference, we will do our utmost to bring about a successful <BR>                outcome. But we cannot do it ourselves. We are relying on your <BR>                support and commitment to accomplish this mission. I am sure it <BR>                will be forthcoming.