1
Question for enquiry:
Does hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong bring more advantages
than disadvantages?
Suggested time allocation: 3 periods
Objectives:
1. To understand the reasons for hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong
Kong;
2. To analyse the impact of hosting this Conference in Hong Kong on different social groups;
3. To understand the different viewpoints of various groups on hosting this Conference in Hong
Kong.
Learning activities
Periods and activities
Knowledge/ Concept
Skills
Values
and
attitudes
Periods 1 and 2:
Different people’s
viewpoints on the
advantages and
disadvantages of hosting
the Sixth Ministerial
Conference of the WTO in
Hong Kong.
(Activities 1 and 2)
Periods: 2 and 3
Values as reflected in
different people’s opinions
and viewpoints
(Activities 3, 4, 5 and 6)





The reasons for hosting
the Sixth Ministerial
Conference of the
WTO in Hong Kong
The impact of hosting
Data collection,
Classification,
Summary of data,
Discussion,
Presentation
Interdependence,
Plurality,
Critical,
With a respect
for life
this Conference in
Hong Kong on various
groups
Advantages and
disadvantages
Different groups’
viewpoints on hosting
this Conference in
Hong Kong
Values as reflected in
Inference,
Evidence,
Summary,
Analysis,
Discussion,
these viewpoints
Presentation,
Critical thinking,
Decision making
2
Periods 1 and 2: The reasons for hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong
Kong and the impact on various social groups
1. The objectives of this lesson are to enable the students to understand the reasons for hosting
the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong, and to see the impact that it has
on various social groups.
2. Pre-lesson preparation
Teacher may request the students to collect information on this Conference in Hong Kong
before the lesson, so that they can gain a preliminary understanding and some prior knowledge
on the following areas, to facilitate subsequent learning:
i. What kind of organization is WTO?
ii. What is the Ministerial Conference?
iii. What are the themes/major issues of the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO to be
hosted in Hong Kong?
iv. What preparation has Hong Kong made for this Conference?
3. Before conducting Activity 1, the teacher may ask the students for some background
information on the WTO and the upcoming Ministerial Conference, and then introduce the
focus of the lesson: The advantages and disadvantages of hosting the Sixth Ministerial
Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong.
4. Depending on the academic level and ability of the students, the teacher may get students to
brainstorm opinions on hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong, or
provide information on Activity 1 as the basis of discussion.
5. For group discussion:
i.
ii.
Divide the class into 6 – 8 groups, half to read Sources 1–5 (those inclined to agree), the
other half to read Sources 6 – 11 (those inclined to disagree);
The teachers may refer to the following sources for the viewpoints of Sources 1-11:
(i)
“Item for Establishment Subcommittee of Finance Committee”
http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/english/fc/esc/papers/e04-07e.pdf
(ii) “The advantages of hosting Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong
Kong outweigh the disadvantages” (Chinese version only)
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/050822/74/1ftjw.html
(iii) “The hosting of WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference will bring about 1 billion
(iv)
(v)
income, John Tsang Chun-wah: The benefit will outweigh the investment”,
2005/08/13. (Chinese version only)
http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/szyw/t207077.htm
“Hong Kong promises to spare no effort on hosting the WTO Hong Kong
Ministerial Conference”, 2005/05/25. (Chinese version only)
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200505/25/05250231.htm
“The gains and losses of hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in
Hong Kong”, 2003-09-22. (Chinese version only)
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/jj/20030922/jd/200309220982.asp
3
(vi)
“Should the WTO Doha negotiation be successful, we can save 7,600 million
dollars of customs duty for the goods from Hong Kong” (Chinese version only)
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/050807/12/1fbgc.html
(vii) “Hong Kong shop owners get insured for worrying about being damaged by
protestors” (Chinese version only)
http://www.e-capital.com.hk/market/News/detail.asp?ID=%7BC654A401-8941-4E
5E-94D1-C860146E22CC%7D&num=M&pp=1&next1=0&xy=6&xt=1
iii. According to Sources 1 – 11 and to any additional information collected before the lesson,
complete the graphic organiser of Activity 2. There are both advantages and
disadvantages.
iv. The students should be assisted to determine whether they have any preconceptions, or if
they are affected by personal bias, or if they have been restricted in their view by the
Sources. When students formulate their viewpoints, they need to watch out for such
v.
restraints.
Teacher may discuss with the students: What are the “advantages”? What are the
“disadvantages”? When we consider an issue, do we simply compare the total number
of advantages and disadvantages in order to make a decision?
6. Bring out the concepts of “advantages” (merits and benefits) and “disadvantages” (cost and
negative impact), and then probe further into the issue during the next lesson.
Periods 2 – 3:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Understand and compare different people’s viewpoints on the advantages and
disadvantages of hosting this Conference in Hong Kong and the values
embedded in these opinions
Distribute worksheet Activity 3: Who is he / she?. Let the students infer the identity of the
person appearing in the Source and extract evidence from the Source to support their
inference.
The teacher may ask the students why different people / groups, organisations have different
viewpoints.
The teacher may use Activity 4 to get the students to see that different people in society have
different viewpoints. In addition to the examples listed in Activity 4, the teacher may
encourage the students to list out other viewpoints.
Use Sources 1 - 11 and additional information collected before the lesson, the teacher may
discuss with the students.
i. Advantages to certain people/ organisations may be disadvantages to other people /
organisations and vice versa.
ii. When making a decision, should one simply compare the total number of advantages and
disadvantages? What other factors should one also consider?
Use Activity 5 as the conclusion. Students may formulate their own viewpoints on whether
to support Hong Kong to host this Conference, through integrating the various comments and
viewpoints on the advantages and disadvantages, and adding their own.
4
Collect relevant information about this conference hosted by Hong Kong.
Students may refer to:
Newspapers
1. The advantages of hosting Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in
Hong Kong
outweigh the disadvantages〈娥姐錦囊—Ms Christina Cheung〉
(Chinese version only)
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/050822/74/1ftjw.html
2. Centenary review of free trade, BBC Chinese.com (Chinese version only)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/chinese/news/newsid_541000/5419191.stm
3. “Should the WTO Doha negotiation be successful, we can save 7,600 million dollars of
customs duty for the goods from Hong Kong”, 2005-08-08, Mingpao, A07 (Chinese version
only)
4. “Restrictions in many areas will affect the traffic”, 2005-09-21, Apple Daily, A04 (Chinese
version only)
5. “No schooling for 60% of schools in the Island side on the first day of WTO Hong Kong
Ministerial Conference”, 2005-09-18, Takungpao, 07 (Chinese version only)
6. “A golden opportunity for Henry Tang to gain international publicity”, 2005-09-16, Apple
Daily, A27 (Chinese version only)
7. “The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is on full alert for the WTO”, 2005-09-14, Oriental
Daily, B02 (Chinese version only)
8. “Candlelight singing gathering for anti-WTO protest”, 2005-09-11, Apple Daily, A19 (Chinese
version only)
9. “Benefiting from the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, the hotel rooms are full house”,
2005-09-09, Takungpao, A06 (Chinese version only)
10. “Support the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and air your opinions sensibly”,
2005-08-28, Sing Pao, A02 (Chinese version only)
11. “Reserved space in the prisons for detention purposes”, 2005-08-28, Apple Daily, A13
(Chinese version only)
12. “Insurance sector reminder to get insured before entering the protest area. During the period
of the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference hosted in Hong Kong, car owners may
become scapegoats”, 2005-08-28, Apple Daily, A13 (Chinese version only)
13. “Government spends 250 million dollars on the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference”,
2005-08-24, 《東周刊》, A08 (Chinese version only)
14. “We are against free trade for causing poverty”, 2005-08-24, Wenweipo, A26 (Chinese version
only)
5
Website
1. John Tsang Chun-wah, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and
Technology discussing about the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO
(Chinese version only)
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200309/18/0918177.htm
2. WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference - Website of the Host Government
http://www.wtomc6.gov.hk/eng/home/welcome.html
3. Fair Trade – medicine patent battle (Chinese version only)
http://www.hkjp.org/feedback/DPWar.htm
4. Background of the WTO (Chinese version only)
http://www.spicefishball.i-p.com/wtobg.htm#TOP
5.
Letter to the public and opinion document from Hong Kong People’s Alliance on the WTO
(Chinese version only)
http://www.hkpaowto.org.hk/wordpress/?cat=6
6.
What is globalisation? (Chinese version only)
http://www.globalmon.org.hk/database/0901_1.htm
What is the WTO?
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/whatis_e.htm
“Concern about the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference hosted in Hong Kong at the
year end”, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions. (Chinese version only)
http://www.hkctu.org.hk/newsr.php?orgtopicid=249
7.
8.
9.
“Hong Kong and MC6”, Oxfam (Hong Kong).
http://www.oxfam.org.hk/public/contents/article?ha=&wc=0&hb=&hc=&revision%5fid=1973
8&item%5fid=19734
6
The World Trade Organisation (abbreviated as “WTO”) was formally established on 1 January
1995. The WTO was formerly known as General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – (abbreviated as
GATT) which was established after World War II in 1947.
The major objective of the WTO is to formulate international trade policy and regulations, in order
to assist member nations to conduct international trade and raise living standards. The
regulations of WTO help governments to implement trade policies that treat all nations as equals
and as transparent and reliable trade partners.
The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making authority of the WTO. It is convened
at least once every two years. The Ministerial Conference offers an opportunity for ministers of
the governments of all the WTO members to gather together. It has the authority to make
decisions on all matters related to WTO agreements. The Sixth Ministerial Conference will be
hosted in Hong Kong between 13 and 18 December 2005.
7
If Hong Kong is successful
in hosting the conference,
we can enhance our prestige
and leave a good
impression. Influential
clients will then travel to
Hong Kong in the future,
As a shop owner, I am
very afraid that we may
suffer from the damage
done by the protesters.
There is the likelihood
which will be beneficial to
tourism, hotels and the
economy of Hong Kong.
that Hong Kong will
suffer a terrorist attack.
Why is Hong Kong hosting this
Ministerial Conference?
What are the advantages and
disadvantages?
It can enhance the economic
status of Hong Kong and prove
that Hong Kong is a truly
According to the projections of the Hong
Kong People’s Alliance on WTO, around
10,000 people will come to protest in
Hong Kong during the period of this
conference, including the radical “Korean
Peasants League”. Around 1,000
Korean farmers may come to protest in
Hong Kong. They also plan to camp at
the Hong Kong and Exhibition
international financial centre.
Hong Kong will gain useful experience, such
as how to undertake the preparatory work,
receive celebrities, etc. and this will improve
service quality in Hong Kong.
Convention Centre at Wanchai in order to
protest.
*The teacher may collect the students’ opinions on hosting the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial
Conference in Hong Kong by brainstorming.
8
Do the advantages of hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong
Kong outweigh the disadvantages?
(Note: Can we make decision simply by comparing the total number of advantages and
disadvantages?). Have we been affected by some of these opinions?
Different groups have different opinions on the issue of hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference
of the WTO in Hong Kong. Please read their opinions first, then complete Activities 2 – 4, using
also the information you have collected before the lesson on hosting the Sixth Ministerial
Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong.
Source 1
Hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong demonstrates that Hong Kong is a
responsible, contributing member of the WTO. It strengthens Hong Kong’s international
image as a pioneer in free trade; proves that Hong Kong has successfully implemented “One
country, Two Systems” according to the Basic Law, and that it enjoys autonomy in the
handling of its own economy and trade, as granted by the Basic Law. It also provides good
proof that the international community has great confidence in Hong Kong. We can take
this golden opportunity to publicize the unique characteristics of Hong Kong as “Asia's
world city”
Source 2
Our sector places high hopes on the government. If we are successful in hosting this
conference, we can improve the prestige of Hong Kong. For instance, before Doha hosted
this Ministerial Conference, few people knew where this place was. After hosting the
Conference, everyone now knows where it is. Hosting the Conference can enhance Hong
Kong’s economic status. It will help Hong Kong to be seen as a truly international
financial city. Hong Kong will be able to gain useful experience in undertaking
preparatory work, receiving celebrities, etc. and this will improve service quality in Hong
Kong.
9
Source 3
We project that many representatives and visitors will attend the Sixth Ministerial
Conference, which will bring significant economic income from tourism to Hong Kong.
This conference will bring around 8,000 – 10,000 tourists to Hong Kong. Assuming that
they stay here for one week, they will bring around an income of 100 million dollars to our
sector.
Source 4
During the conference, European Union and US representatives have booked rooms in the 2
five-star hotels in Admiralty. Not only are the hotels in Admiralty fully booked, but the
hotels in Wanchai are also fully booked. All those attending the conference in Hong Kong
have high spending power. Hence, we expect that hosting this Conference in Hong Kong
can bring significant income to the tourism and hotel sectors.
Source 5
If the member nations agree at this conference to further cut customs duties, this will be
beneficial to the long-term development of the Hong Kong economy. Abolition of the
trade barrier for non-customs duties will enhance the competitiveness of our products in
overseas markets. The service industries of Hong Kong, such as transport services,
warehousing, insurance, banking and local merchants who invest in the mainland of China
will also benefit.
10
Source 6
During the conference, there will be sizeable protest activities near the conference venue.
The government projects that in addition to the traffic being affected at Wanchai North, East
Island, Central and Western District, there may be traffic congestion at Tsimshatsui, where
there are numerous hotels. This will certainly affect our normal daily life seriously. We
need to pay car rental and petroleum everyday. If our business is affected by the traffic
congestion, we really need to “thank” the Hong Kong government for taking care of its own
face rather than taking care of our everyday needs.
Source 7
It’s very kind of the government to host the WTO conference! Thank God we can enjoy
several days of holiday!
Source 8
We don’t understand why the government is hosting the WTO conference. Students can’t
go to school. This will affect their studies. The blockage of certain roads and traffic
diversions will cause traffic congestion in many areas. The WTO conference will attract
many protesters. This will certainly damage the image of Hong Kong. Won’t Hong
Kong remain the same with or without the WTO?
11
Source 9
Take for example the previous conference in Cancun: hosting the Cancun conference has
neither improved the image of Cancun, nor improved its income from tourism. To prevent
terrorist attacks and the violent acts of protesters, Mexico mobilised 6,000 military police, 4
warships and several helicopters armed with missiles.
During the conference, nearly 1,000 non-government organisations from over 90 countries
mobilized over 50,000 protesters to rush to Cancun, and organized 3 demonstrations.
During the demonstrations, Cancun was almost paralysed. Public facilities such as roads,
shops, buildings, etc. were damaged. Due to road blockages, the shops surrounding the
conference centre had to cease business, and business in the bars on the seashore and in the
dance clubs and night clubs was very poor.
We should not simply consider holding the WTO Ministerial Conference from the viewpoint
of economic effectiveness alone, as it is quite different from hosting the Olympics or a trade
show or trade conference. The Conference has never brought any economic benefit to its
host. Rather, it has always caused a loss to the host.
Source 10
During the Ministerial Conference in December, protesters from all over the world will
descend on Hong Kong. The risk of shops near the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre in Wanchai being damaged will be very high. Most of these shops and
buildings have had to purchase insurance. We may need to consider adjusting the
insurance for these shops, and we appeal to these shops to adopt effective measures to
protect their properties.
12
Source 11
The trade liberalization recommended by the WTO may not be advantageous to the people
of the lower social stratum. For instance, in recent years, following the requirement of
WTO that managers of large-scale works should invite international tenders, the
government has imported many pre-fabricated, infrastructural components from abroad.
This has severely affected the livelihood of labour in the construction industry. We have
received many requests for assistance from workmen in this regard.
13
In group discussion
Please share with your group members the information collected before the lesson, and discuss
how to organise the content of the various Sources above in the following diagrams. Then try to
reach agreement on the viewpoint of your group. Is it true that the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages?
Advantages
Disadvantages
Which Source considers that hosting the
Ministerial conference in Hong Kong will be
advantageous (will bring benefits)?
Which Source considers that Hong Kong will
have to pay a lot for hosting the Ministerial
conference (costs)?
What are these advantages (benefits)?
What are the disadvantages?
14
Presentation
After discussion, we consider that hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong
Kong is (more advantageous than disadvantageous / more disadvantageous than advantageous /
other) for the following reasons:
Students should note down the opinions expressed in the presentation of the other groups. They
may use these opinions when compiling the review article (Activity 5).
15
Filling station for thinking skills
Our viewpoints are often affected and restricted by other factors, such as:
This singer sings
well while other
singers just make a
noise.
If I say it is right, it can’t be
wrong.
Preconception : Once we have
accepted a certain viewpoint, we do
not consider other subsequent
opinions.
Making a biased decision : not
considering views and opinions held
by different parties; only taking one
perspective into account.
Making a wild guess : not grasping
the whole truth, but making a
judgment from partial information
and take this as the entire truth
Not knowing the whole truth or
being swayed by one view on an
issue, such that one cannot know the
entire truth.
When students formulate their personal opinion, they need to consider whether the information
available to them is sufficient to allow this? Do they have a pre-conceived opinion? Are they
affected by any bias? Our mood of the moment, our attitude towards an issue, our cultural
background, our notion of what is “normal” all affect our viewpoint on an issue. We also need to
understand the background of the person providing us with information, his/her motive, and
whether the information he/she has is comprehensive enough to allow us to determine whether
his/her perspective is believable.
16
Can you distinguish to whom / which organisation the viewpoints in Sources 1 – 11 belong? Please
identify evidence from the sources to support your answer.
Source 1:
I think he /she is:____________
Source 2:
___a government official_________
since he / she has mentioned :
I think he /she is:____________
______________________________
__from the financial sector________
______________________________
since he / she has mentioned :
___________________________
______________________________
______________________________
___________________________
Source 3:
I think he /she is:____________
____from the tourism industry_____
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
______________________________
___________________________
Source 4:
I think he /she is:____________
____ from the hotel industry ______
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
______________________________
Source 5:
___________________________
I think he /she is:____________
_____ a government official ______
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
______________________________
___________________________
17
Source 6:
I think he /she is:____________
from the transport industry/a driver
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
______________________________
___________________________
Source 7:
I think he /she is:____________
____a student__________________
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
Source 8:
______________________________
I think he /she is:____________
___________________________
___a citizen_________________
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
Source 9:
______________________________
___________________________
I think he /she is:____________
____a scholar__________________
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
Source 10:
______________________________
___________________________
I think he /she is:____________
___ from the insurance sector_____
since he / she has mentioned :
Source 11:
______________________________
______________________________
I think he /she is:____________
___________________________
_a member of the construction union_
since he / she has mentioned :
______________________________
______________________________
___________________________
18
You have got reasons
Different people’s viewpoints reflect different beliefs. The beliefs may be:
1. Social / national in nature: international relations, international image
2. Economic in nature: concern for consumer spending and economic activities, with a view to
increasing wealth and enhancing prosperity
3. Cultural in nature: concern for facilitating cultural exchange
4. Environmental and ecological in nature: to protect the environment, maintain ecological
balance, in order to achieve sustainable development
5. Personal in nature: hope to realize personal wishes, care for personal interests
6. Legal in nature: care for the restraints in law in order to maintain order and stability
7. Organisational in nature: concern for organisational interests
8. Humanitarianism: concern for the interests of other people
Hong Kong is a pluralist society.
Each person has different considerations and different
viewpoints. What kind of belief is reflected in the viewpoints of the persons / organisations in
Source 1 – 11? (Students may refer to the items above. Each source may reflect more than one belief).
Belief
Source 1 __________________________________________
Source 2 __________________________________________
Source 3 __________________________________________
Source 4 __________________________________________
Source 5 __________________________________________
Source 6 __________________________________________
Source 7 __________________________________________
Source 8 __________________________________________
Source 9 __________________________________________
Source 10_________________________________________
Source 11_________________________________________
19
You have heard different opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of hosting the Sixth
Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Hong Kong and understood the beliefs behind these
opinions. Take them into consideration and include your own personal opinions when you decide
whether Hong Kong should be hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO. Before
making this decision, you may consider the following issues:
disadvantages
advantages
advantages
cost
cost
gains
advantages
disadvantages
Is our decision to support it or not based on
the
number
of
advantages
versus
disadvantages?
Who pays for the cost?
gains?
How do we balance personal gains and
losses with the interests of society as a
whole?
Does Hong Kong obtain short-term benefits
or long-term benefits?
Does Hong Kong obtain tangible benefits
(such as economic benefit) or intangible
benefits (such as international prestige) ?
Who gets the
20
I support Hong Kong in hosting the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO / I have reservations
about Hong Kong’s hosting of the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the WTO, for the following
reasons:
Think for a while
1. I
have
come
to
the
above
viewpoint,
because
I
place
more
importance
on:_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Is my viewpoint related to my personal interests?
Yes / No
3. While I have my own perspective, I adopt a/an _____________attitude towards others’
thinking, as I consider _________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
21