evacuation. The highway that crosses through Wan Chai was barricaded, and much traffic was detoured. All public transportation, including the MTR, had to skip stopping at the stations of the affected areas. Through the news broadcast on television and radio, the Hong Kong Police Force advised people who were still in the streets near the affected areas to either immediately go home or stay in covered areas until after the demonstration congregation cleared up. The Hong Kong Police Force suggested three criteria for shopkeepers in the affected areas for safety assessment. The criteria included business nature, geographical location, and international position (for instance, whether the shops belong to transnational corporations). The Wan Chai headquarters of the SPCA (HK), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong), was closed from 13 December - 18. Most animals were relocated to other centres. All glass windows and doors were pinned with wooden boards. Media Around 3,000 journalists around the world were attracted by the MC6. The Radio Television Hong Kong has also been appointed as the official conference broadcaster of the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference to provide live TV coverage of public sessions. It will also provide facilities for recordings and simple editing by booking. A Press Centre with infrastructure and technology will be provided service to members of the press. It will provide computer facilities for concurrent users through desktop workstations, LAN ports, modem ports, and wireless LAN access. In addition, easy access to printers, telephone, fax lines and photocopiers will also be offered. During the proceeding of the conference, the anti-WTO demonstrations and the resulting confrontation with the Hong Kong Police Force consistently received wider coverage by the two local television stations (TVB and ATV) and the press than the progress of the conference itself. Finance Budget The MC6 will cost the SAR government HK$250 million. The items in the budget include: Lease fee and fixing costs of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre: HK$37m IT and communication facilities: HK$37m 47 new positions from the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference Coordination Office: HK$31m Transportation provided to participants in the meeting: HK$26m Membership fees for 50 most least developed members and payment to WTO secretariat: HK$23m Stationery including photocopy and fax machines: HK$22m Translation, promotion and temporary workers payment: HK$22m Security facilities: HK$22m Opening and closing ceremonies and feasts: HK$9m Sponsorship The Hong Kong government was the major sponsor of