WT/MIN(22)/ST/63  
12 June 2022 
(22-4500) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR EDWARD  YAU TANG WAH  
SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  
HONG KONG, CHINA 
The Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12), if I may say, is a defining moment for the WTO.  Despite 
the remarkable success in promoting trade liberalisation and global economic development since its 
establishment in 1995, the WTO is now facing unprecedented challenges brought about by the fast 
changing international environment.  The rise in protectionism, COVID -19 pandemic and ge o-political 
tensions have all created much uncertainties, and even doubts, about the rules -based multilateral 
trading system.   
 
The world is watching in earnest what the WTO can deliver this week.  I cannot emphasise enough 
that a successful MC12 is crucial  for both the WTO and the global economy in its recovery from 
COVID -19 pandemic.  Expectations are high, and any decisions to be taken here in the next few days 
will have profound implications on the credibility and future of our multilateral trading system . 
 
As a small and externally -oriented economy, Hong Kong, China is firmly committed to free and open 
trade.  As a founding Member of the WTO, we attach great importance to the rules -based multilateral 
trading system with the WTO at its core.  For us, and I a m sure for many other Member economies 
as well, the WTO provides a stable and predictable framework for conducting international trade and 
protecting our businesses, especially for micro, small and medium -sized enterprises, from arbitrary 
and discriminator y actions by trading partners.   
  
The importance of the rules -based global trading system is manifested vividly during the COVID -19 
pandemic as we witness severe disruptions to our supply chains.  It has been more than two years 
since the start of the pande mic, the WTO must respond now to meet all these challenges.   
 
As the world continues to tackle the pandemic, it is our responsibility to ensure that the global 
trading system continues to enable efficient access to and distribution of essential medical sup plies 
for all economies, including in particular developing and least developed countries, so as to help 
them to meet the immediate challenges and prepare for the future possible public health crises.  
A stable trading environment is therefore indispensable  to the post -pandemic recovery of our global 
economy.   
 
This is also time for unity.  We echo the Director -General’s call for global solidarity and look forward 
to commitments by Members to a comprehensive, credible and effective response – one that not 
only addresses the current pandemic, but also builds resilience for future possible public health 
crises.  Hong Kong, China will continue to work constructively with Members to bring the WTO 
Response to the Pandemic to fruition in this Conference.  
 
In addition, the WTO also needs to demonstrate to the world that it can make new rules – rules that 
could address people’s concerns, including the sustainability of our global environment.  
Rules -making is one of the key functions of the WTO.  Over the past two decades, Members have 
been working hard in formulating trade rules on fisheries subsidies, with a view to preserving our 
precious marine resources.  Never have we been so close to the finishing line.  Therefore, Hong Kong, 
China looks forward to a succes sful conclusion of these negotiations.  While the remaining differences 
on the table are undoubtedly the more difficult ones, I urge fellow Members to take on your joint 
responsibility and find ways to bridge the differences in the final stretch.  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 63 
 
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  Another pr iority for Hong Kong, China is upholding of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic 
transmissions.  It would be a great disappointment and setback in WTO’s work on e -commerce if the 
moratorium was allowed to lapse after MC12.  In order to maintain a s table and predictable 
environment for global e -commerce, Hong Kong, China believes that the most pragmatic way 
forward is to extend the moratorium to at least up to MC13.  As such, we reaffirm our support for 
extension and continuation of the ongoing discus sions under the Work Programme on Electronic 
Commerce.  
 
On WTO Reforms, a key function of WTO is to settle trade disputes among its Members.  Some have 
commended dispute settlement as the crown jewel of the WTO.  This unique dispute settlement 
mechanism of WTO is contributing to the stability of the global economy, and helps ensure that the 
multilateral rules are respected and complied with.  Hong Kong, China considers it a matter of 
paramount importance for Members to expedite work on restoring a fully -functional dispute 
settlement mechanism.  It is essential for Members to agree on a work plan in the earliest possible 
time. Hong Kong, China stands ready to work with all Members and engage in constructive 
discussions on any meaningful proposals in order to ach ieve this very important objective.  
 
Finally, we concur with the Director -General that a responsible WTO has to adapt fast to meet the 
many challenges of our time, holding dear to our hearts the aspirations of the people we serve.  
There is a clear need for  strengthening and modernising the multilateral trading system to ensure 
its effectiveness and relevance.  We should make use of this Ministerial Conference to kick start 
candid and productive conversations in this direction.  
 
Hong Kong, China looks forward  to working constructively with all Members over the coming days 
to make our Ministerial Conference a success.  
 
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