WTO and Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong became a separate contracting party to the GATT in 1986, and is a founding member of its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Hong Kong is a member of the WTO in its own right. After the return of Hong Kong to the Mainland of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) continues to participate in the WTO as a full and separate member, using the name "Hong Kong, China". The Mainland of China became a member of the WTO on 11 December 2001. Hong Kong, China continues to participate in the WTO as a separate customs territory which enjoys a high degree of autonomy in the conduct of its external commercial relations.

Hong Kong, China is a free and open economy which sets good examples to other WTO members in the implementation of various WTO obligations. As soon as the WTO was established, Hong Kong, China implemented its Uruguay Round tariff commitments fully. We have implemented many of our Uruguay Round commitments well ahead of the agreed timetable. We are the first WTO Member to join the Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) on 8 December 2014. We also joined the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on 21 August 2023.

Hong Kong, China takes its rights and obligations in the WTO seriously and has all along been participating actively and constructively in the WTO. In addition to the hosting of the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC6) in December 2005, representatives from Hong Kong, China have taken up appointments as chairman or vice chairman of bodies under the WTO:

Hong Kong, China representative WTO appointment(s)

Miss Anna Leung, Assistant Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture in 2024/25

Ms. Carol Tsang, Assistant Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Import Licensing in 2019/20
  • Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Origin in 2025/26

Mr. Edward Yau, former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
  • Vice Chair of the Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) in 20171

Ms. Irene Young, former Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Member of the Management Board of the Advisory Centre on WTO Law
  • Chairman of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in 2017/18
  • Chairman of the Trade Policy Review Body in 2016/17
  • Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Environment in 2015/16

Ms. Joanna Cheung, former Assistant Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Customs Valuation in 2014/15

Mr. Michael Stone, former Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration in 2013/14

Mr. Sam Hui, former Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures in 2012/13

Mr. Martin Glass, former Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance in 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2011/12
  • Chairman of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in 2010/11

Mr. Tony Miller, former Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in 2004/05
  • Chairman of the Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation in 2006/07

Mr. Joshua Law, former Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration in 2003/04

Mr. Ivan Lee, former Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the Committee on Customs Valuation in 2003/04

Mr. Stuart Harbinson, former Permanent Representative of the Hong Kong SAR to the WTO
  • Chairman of the WTO General Council2 in 2001/02
1
There were three Vice Chairs at the MC11.
2
It was the highest decision-making body of the WTO after the Ministerial Conference.

Contact Us

Comments and suggestions on Hong Kong, China's participation in WTO are welcome, and they can be sent to Trade and Industry Department via mdiv1@tid.gov.hk.

2025-06-05
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