祖国是香港持续繁荣的后盾
Hong Kong’s Continued Prosperity Depends on China
2017年7月4日，香港主流大报《南华早报》刊登中国驻英国大使刘晓明题为《祖国是香港持续繁荣的后盾》的署名文章。全文如下：
On July 4th, 2017, South China Morning Post published a signed article by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming entitled “Hong Kong’s continued prosperity depends on China”. The full text is as follows:
1997年7月1日，中国政府恢复对香港行使主权，香港经历了百年沧桑后重回祖国怀抱，迎来了崭新的发展时期。
On July 1, 1997, the Chinese government’s sovereignty over Hong Kong was restored, ending over 100 years of separation from the motherland and heralding a new era of development for the city.
回归以来，在中国中央政府大力支持和全体中国人民共同努力下，香港风雨兼程，砥砺前行，取得了举世瞩目的成就。
Since then, thanks to the strong backing of the central government and the concerted efforts of 1.3 billion Chinese, Hong Kong has forged ahead to notch up remarkable achievements.
“一国两制”在香港的实践成就非凡。20年来，中国中央政府严格按照宪法和基本法办事，坚定贯彻“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治的方针。香港原有资本主义制度和生活方式保持不变，法律基本不变。“一国两制”在香港的实践取得巨大成功，得到香港社会广泛认同，也赢得国际社会普遍赞誉。
The implementation of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong has been a huge success. For 20 years, acting under the constitution and the Basic Law, the central government has stayed committed to the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a “high degree of autonomy”. The capitalist system and way of life in Hong Kong have remained unchanged, and the legal system in general kept intact. The huge success of “one country, two systems” has been widely recognized, not only in Hong Kong but also in the wider international community.
香港民主政制稳步发展。中国中央政府和香港特区政府按照基本法和全国人大常委会有关决定，坚定不移推动香港民主政制稳步发展，行政长官选举和立法会选举民主程度不断提高，港人享有前所未有的广泛权利和自由，香港“人类自由指数”连年居全球之首，法治水平全球排名从1996年的第60多位大幅跃升至2015年的第11位。
Hong Kong has made steady progress in democratic governance, as a result of the continuous efforts of both the central and SAR governments, in accordance with the Basic Law and the decisions of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. There is now greater democracy in the election of the chief executive and the Legislative Council, and citizens of Hong Kong enjoy unprecedented democratic rights and freedom. For years, Hong Kong has topped the world’s Human Freedom Index and its world ranking in the rule of law rose from 60th place in 1996 to 11th place in 2015.
香港经济繁荣发展。香港成功应对1997年亚洲金融危机、2003年非典疫情、2008年国际金融危机三大危机，经济总量翻了一番，连续20年荣膺全球最自由经济体，经济竞争力连年居全球之冠。香港保持了国际金融、贸易、航运中心的地位，是内地最大的境外直接投资来源地，日益成为人民币国际化的重要战略平台。根据世界银行发布的数据，香港在政治稳定、政府效能、社会法治、贪腐控制、公民表达及问责等方面的指标，都远远高于回归前。
Economic prosperity has continued despite three major tests in the past two decades: the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic of 2003 and the global financial crisis of 2008. Hong Kong emerged from these hard times unscathed – its GDP doubled and its position as one of the world’s freest and most competitive economies unchanged. Today, as a global financial, trade and shipping hub, and China’s largest source of overseas investment, Hong Kong is fast becoming a strategic platform for renminbi internationalization. The World Bank’s record shows Hong Kong is doing much better than pre-handover years in terms of political stability, absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, control of corruption, and voice and accountability.
在中央政府的坚定支持下，香港对外交往进一步扩大，国际影响力不断提升。香港协办了北京奥运会马术比赛项目，成功主办第五届东亚运动会，并主办了第十届“亚洲金融论坛”等大型国际活动。
With the strong backing of the central government, Hong Kong has continued to make more friends, build closer ties and gain greater influence around the world. The city hosted the equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A number of other major international events, including the fifth East Asian Games and 10th annual events of the Asian Financial Forum, were also held in Hong Kong.
“艰难困苦，玉汝于成。”香港回归20年取得的伟大成就来之不易，值得珍惜。展望未来，就如邓小平先生在香港回归前所说：“香港继续保持繁荣，根本上取决于中国收回香港后，在中国的管辖之下，实行适合于香港的政策。”
As a Chinese saying goes, “Greatness is nurtured through difficulties”. Two decades of success in Hong Kong have not come easily and deserve to be cherished. Looking ahead, as Deng Xiaoping said before the handover, continued prosperity and stability in Hong Kong depend on the implementation of suitable policies under Chinese jurisdiction.
过去20年的事实证明，“一国两制”促进了内地和香港的共同发展，是香港长期繁荣稳定的根本保障和最佳制度安排，具有强大生命力。
The past two decades prove that “one country, two systems” is a suitable policy that is full of vitality. This framework enables Hong Kong and China’s mainland to develop hand in hand, and serves as the fundamental guarantee and best arrangement for the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.
“一国两制”是人类社会在政治体制和社会制度上的一个创举，是一项前无古人的伟大事业。放眼世界，还没有其他哪个国家将资本主义和社会主义两种制度统一在“一国”之内。“一国两制”没有现成的经验可以遵循，只有在克服困难中不断成熟。我们将严格按照宪法和基本法办事，确保“一国两制”在香港的实践不走样，不变形，始终沿着正确方向前进。
This is a pioneering undertaking, and a political and social formula unprecedented in human history. Nowhere else in the world today are capitalist and socialist systems found coexisting under “one country”. There is no beaten path to follow and there are bound to be misunderstandings, and scepticism that must be overcome. The key to staying on track with “one country, two systems” is to adhere to the constitution and the Basic Law.
回归以来，香港一直是中国不可分割的一部分，香港人民与祖国人民血脉相连，香港的前途与祖国休戚与共。一些人不能正视香港回归的现实，不能摆脱殖民时代的虚妄幻想，这不利于香港的繁荣稳定，不利于香港的未来发展。中国政府坚决反对任何外部势力以任何借口干涉香港事务，坚决反对任何“港独”行径。
Since its return, Hong Kong has been an integral part of China. The people of Hong Kong share indivisible blood ties with the people of the motherland. And the future of Hong Kong is closely associated with the development of the motherland. Refusing to face up to this fact or staying entrenched in the colonialist illusion will not help Hong Kong achieve future development, prosperity and stability. Nor will any external interference in Hong Kong, under whatever excuse, or so-called Hong Kong independence, be tolerated.
背靠祖国，面向世界，这是香港的独特地缘优势。正因为如此，香港一直是中国改革开放的前沿和重要窗口。在“一国两制”的保障下，香港又具有“先行先试”的政策优势，“深港通”和粤港澳大湾区建设正是这种优势的最新体现。随着中国成长为世界第二大经济体，进一步深化改革开放，香港在国家经济发展和对外开放中的地位更加重要，优势更加明显，发展前景更为广阔。
Hong Kong’s unique geographical advantage lies in the strong backing of China’s mainland and its role as China’s gateway to the world. And, precisely because of these, Hong Kong has always been at the forefront of China’s reform and opening-up endeavor. Now, Hong Kong has obtained a special “licence” to try out new things. The latest examples are the Hong Kong-Shenzhen stock connection and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau bay area. As China, the world’s second-largest economy, further deepens reforms, Hong Kong has the opportunity to consolidate its role in China’s growth and opening-up process, and, in turn, gain stronger advantages and embrace more promising prospects.
香港与英国经贸、文化联系密切，在中英关系中扮演着重要桥梁作用。在中英关系进入“黄金时代”之际，我们既希望香港抓住机遇，借力中英关系发展大势，促进自身的更大发展，也期待香港继续发挥桥梁作用，不断为中英关系发展贡献更多正能量。
Hong Kong’s other unique advantage is its close business and cultural ties with Britain. It’s role as an important bridge between China and Britain will stand out in the “golden era” of the China-UK relationship, and therefore bring opportunities for Hong Kong’s development and enable the city to contribute more positive energy to Sino-British relations.
香港回归20周年，是香港历史上的重要里程碑，也是香港迈向美好未来的新起点。我们期待香港在新的历史征程上再创辉煌！
The 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return is a landmark in the city’s history, as well as a new starting point of a journey towards a more promising future. We wish Hong Kong all the best in the years ahead.