WT/TPR/336  
15 October 2014  
(14-5877)  Page: 1/2  
 Trade Policy Review Body   
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 
HONG KONG, CHINA 
Arrangements for Review Meeting 
1.  In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of the 
Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 19 and 21 November 2014 to conduct the seventh 
review of the trade policies and practices of Hong Kong, China (WTO/AIR/4350/Rev.1).  
2.  This communication sets out arrangements conc erning the review meeting. In this connection, 
attention is also drawn to the procedures for the conduct of reviews contained in the revised rules of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3). 
3.  Members' attention is drawn to Hong Kong, China's use of the "alternative" 
timeframe for submission of written questions and responses (see below ).  
1  QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS 
4.  Members wishing to submit written question s to the Member under review should do 
so at least four weeks before the review me eting to allow replies to be submitted one 
week prior to the first session of the meeting.  For the forthcoming review, such questions 
should therefore be with the Trade Policies Revi ew Division of the Secretariat (tprd@wto.org) 
by 5.30 p.m., Wednesday 22 October 2014 , at the latest.  
5.  In line with the results of the 4th Apprai sal of the TPRM (WT/MIN(11)/6, paragraph 27.2.b and 
Annex 2), Members are reminded that they should group their written questions into the following 
three categories so as to facilitate responses:  those related to the Secretariat report (with a 
reference to relevant paragraph numbers); thos e concerning the Government report (with a 
reference to relevant paragraph numbers); and other questions.  
6.  The Secretariat shall identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least four 
weeks before a review meeting, post them on the Members' Website one week before the meeting, and distribute a revised list of main points during the first session of a review when questions 
received after the four-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues. The main points may be 
found on the Members' Website under "Forthcoming meetings: Documents for Meetings".  
2  ANSWER IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW 7.  Answers by the Member under review should be distributed in writing; advance questions 
submitted by the four-week deadline before the start of the TPRB review should be 
answered in writing by the Member under re view one week prior to the start of the 
meeting (12 November 2014). Written answers will be ma de available on the Members' 
Website four working days prior to the meeting (13 November 2014) . Questions posed 
subsequently should be answered, to the extent po ssible, before the start of the second session of 
the meeting. Questions left unanswered at the end of the second session should be answered in WT/TPR/336 
 
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  writing no later than one month after the meeting with some latitude in the Chair's discretion for 
Members reviewing a very large number of questions. 
8.  In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate 
that it intends to provide supplementary information, in writing, on specific points raised. Upon 
receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members.  
3  DISCUSSANT 9.  In consultation with the Member under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review 
Body may choose discussants who, in their personal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the 
Body. H.E. Mr. Ronald Saborío Soto (Costa Rica) will act as discussant for the review of Hong Kong, China.  
4  STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 
10.  Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings: 
a. appreciation of the full range of the Member's trade policies and practices; 
b. relevant background: wider economic and developmental needs, including the external 
environment; 
c. impact of the Member's trade policies and practices on the functioning of the multilateral 
trading system; and 
d. general comments by way of assessment and evaluation. 
11.  Meetings take place in two sessions. The first session is devoted to the opening statements by 
the Member under review and the discussant, and remarks and questions from the floor. The discussion in the second session, when the Member under review will reply to questions, is based 
on main themes identified after the opening m eeting by the Chairperson, the discussant and the 
Secretariat in consultation with the Member.  
12.  The speakers list will follow the order in which questions are received by the Secretariat with 
precedence given to Ambassadors present and asking for the floor.  
5  DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS  13.  Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents:  
WT/TPR/G/306  Report by Hong Kong, China 
WT/TPR/S/306  Hong Kong, China: Report by the Secretariat 
14.  The press embargo for the review of Hong Kong, China will end at 2.00 p.m. Geneva time 
on 19 November 2014.  
6  RECORD OF THE MEETING 
15.  The record of the meeting will be circulated as a draft to Members for comments on their own 
statements and placed on the WTO website.  
 
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