. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/158 
17 December 2005 
 (05-6174) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
MACAO, CHINA 
 
Statement Circulated by Mr Francis TAM Pak Yuen
 
Secretary for Economy and Finance  
  
 On behalf of the Government of Macao, China,  and in my own name, I would like to express 
my gratitude to, and congratulate, the Hong Kong  SAR for their splendid arrangements for this 
particularly important Sixth Ministerial Conference. 
  The past two years have been a trying tim e, whereby the WTO institution has seen many 
changes, both in its negotiating and decision-ma king processes.  Please allow me to thank those 
involved in the Geneva process for their effort in bringing together a final draft text, and to wish Mr John Tsang, Mr Pascal Lamy, Ms Amina Mohamed and all Chairs and Facilitators all success in 
leading the discussions to a platform where most of  us can bridge difficulties and achieve a consensus 
that will enable the WTO to continue to be the u ltimate resource in the liberalization effort for all. 
  A very complex issue that has been dealt w ith since the inception of the Doha Development 
Round is agriculture.  Macao, China shall be follo wing discussions very closely, as their outcome may 
provide a possibility to alleviate poverty for millions  of people, particularly in least developed 
countries.   Another topic of concern is non-agricultural mark et access.  Macao, Chin a is of the view that 
market liberalization must be sustained and all tariff and non-tariff barriers should be progressively, 
but steadily, reduced.  Moreover, flexibilities shoul d be incorporated to address the needs of 
developing Members. 
 
On the Services negotiations fr ont, Macao, China continues to reaffirm the principle of 
progressive liberalization.  Although acknowledging the increasing importance attributed to the 
opening up of markets, Members should maintain the right to have an adequate level of flexibility in 
order to proceed with market access measures commen surate with their own level of development. 
 Trade Facilitation stands out as another pivot al issue, having drawn both developing and 
developed nations into various inte rchanges.  Simplification of procedures and transparency in rules, 
together with technical assistance and capacity-bui lding are another set of fundamental pointers for 
global development and a stable business environment.  Macao, China notes the latest developments 
achieved in this area. 
  Special and differential treatment has been seen as a key factor to facilitate the integration of 
developing countries into the multilateral trading system . In this context, we hope an agreement will 
be reached in order that duty-free and quota-free ma rket access is provided to all products originating 
from least developed countries. 
 WT/MIN(05)/ST/158 
Page 2  
 
  On a positive note, the implementation of para graph 6 of the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and 
public health has been successively concluded.   The amendment of the TRIPS Agreement has pr ovided a permanent solution to public health 
problems to millions of people around the world, a fact that should be commended. 
 
 These are just some of the matters that the Doha Agenda is expected to address, focusing 
especially on the needs and concerns of the developi ng and least developed countries, which make up 
the great majority of this forum.  A major effort will be needed at this Hong Kong Ministerial for all 
involved to see through, from a development perspectiv e, WTO negotiations that are currently stalled.  
But, despite the many difficulties and challenges bu ilt-up since the inception of the Doha Round and, 
especially, in the run-up to this Conference, Macao, China hopes for a balanced outcome at the end of 
this Conference.   In this context, and to conclude, Macao, Ch ina, hereby reiterates its firm commitment to 
support the multilateral trading system and trade facilitation. 
 
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