Hong Kong trade official on Saturday urged all World Trade Organization (WTO) members to make full use of the remaining time for a successful outcome.

Speaking at the WTO ministerial conference being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Assistant Director-General of Trade and Industry Rosanna Law said Hong Kong, as the host of the conference, expects intensive negotiations to continue until the end, urging WTO members to work hard to reach a consensus.

The week-long conference is scheduled to close Sunday, but the Hong Kong official did not give the exact time.

Meanwhile, anti-WTO demonstrations in downtown Wan Chai district escalated with protesters trying to break into the Convention and Exhibition Center. One policeman and four protesters were injured during the clash.

"Negotiations are at a critical stage," Rosanna Law admitted.

She said that Hong Kong backed the revised draft of Ministerial Declaration circulated by the WTO Secretariat Saturday, which provided a feasible foundation for members to enter into the final stage of negotiations.

She added Hong Kong expected a workable basis for further negotiations on services in 2006.

On development, Rosanna Law noted that details in relation to the elimination of export subsidies and reduction of domestic support for cotton have been inserted.

However, Rosanna Law said, "Details on duty- and quota-free access for least developed countries as a whole are subject to further negotiations in the remainder of the Conference."

Source: Xinhua