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"Clearly, Hong Kong too stands to gain from China's membership. We have therefore actively supported China's membership in the WTO and I look forward very much to China taking its rightful place in the WTO."
On any bilateral dispute between other trading partners, Mr Chau said Hong Kong did not have a direct role to play.
However, this does not mean that the Government should sit idly by.
"As we have done regularly in the past, we strive to minimise the impact which such disputes might have on our traders," Mr Chau said.
"We see our role in providing early warnings; in monitoring the development of the dispute; in assessing the impact the dispute may have on Hong Kong; in clarifying with the governments concerned any administrative arrangements which they have in place regarding any trade measures; in giving timely advice to our traders of the measures which might be introduced; in assisting our traders to present their case to the governments concerned, either directly or through trade associations.
"When possible, we would also, by modifying our own rules and procedures, assist our traders to adjust their operations or manufacturing processes in order to avoid, I stress the word 'avoid', not 'circumvent', the impact of any such measures.
"This has been our role in the past and this will continue to be our role in the future.*
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End/Monday, March 13, 1995