Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen is president of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
编者按：《决策者》是全球决策制定者分享对国际大事见解的平台。梁君彦是香港特区立法会主席。本文仅为作者个人观点，不代表CGTN立场。
When the governing team of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) under the leadership of new Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is inaugurated on July 1, 2022, it marks another milestone for Hong Kong as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
时值香港回归祖国25周年之际，由新任行政长官李家超先生领导的第六届香港特别行政区政府管治团队将于2022年7月1日正式就职，这标志着香港发展的又一座里程碑。At this critical juncture of starting a new chapter towards good governance that brings stability, prosperity and opportunity to Hong Kong, it is also the time for us to reflect on the experience of implementing "One Country, Two Systems" in the past quarter century. 值此开启良政善治新篇章，为香港带来稳定、繁荣和机遇的关键时刻，正是时候让我们回顾过去25年来“一国两制”在香港特区的实践经验。Tiding over challenges with the strengths of "One Country, Two Systems"
以“一国两制”优势应对挑战
Since the central government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, our city has retained its renowned international status and competitive edge with our robust legal and financial systems. According to the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong is the world's fifth most competitive place. The completion of cross-border infrastructural projects, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, have enhanced our unique advantages as the gateway to the mainland. The rights and freedoms long enjoyed by the vast majority of law-abiding citizens are intact and guaranteed under the Basic Law. All these would have been impossible without the steadfast and successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems."自1997年7月1日中国政府对香港恢复行使主权以来，香港凭借健全的法律和金融体系，一直保持着其享誉全球的国际地位和竞争优势。根据瑞士洛桑国际管理发展学院发布的报告，香港在竞争力领域排名全球第五。港珠澳大桥、广深港高铁香港段等跨境基础设施项目的建成，增强了香港作为通往内地门户的独特优势。绝大多数奉公守法公民一直享有的权利和自由，依然得到《基本法》（《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法》）的保障。这一切都离不开“一国两制”坚定、成功的实施。In the address at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR in 2017, President Xi Jinping pointed out that as a pioneering initiative, the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" was an evolving process during which new scenarios and issues would arise. The years since the establishment of the HKSAR have not all been plain sailing, yet Hong Kong has always been privileged to have the sturdy support from the country and the central government, enabling us to overcome a number of challenges.2017年，习近平主席在庆祝香港回归祖国二十周年大会上的讲话指出，作为一项前无古人的开创性事业，“一国两制”需要在实践中不断探索。自香港特别行政区成立以来，其发展并非一帆风顺，但香港一直有幸得到国家和中央政府的大力支持，从而克服了诸多挑战。In the face of social unrest and violence in 2019, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) acted decisively to pass the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR on June 30, 2020, which quickly restored governance and social stability in Hong Kong from the state of chaos. To plug the loopholes in the former electoral system and ensure faithful implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," the NPC passed the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR on March 11, 2021, which subsequently ensured the smooth conduct of the Election Committee (EC) subsector ordinary elections, the Legislative Council (LegCo) general election and the chief executive election respectively. 面对2019年香港发生的社会动荡和暴力事件，全国人大常委会果断应对，于2020年6月30日通过了《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区维护国家安全法》，快速使香港由乱及治，恢复社会秩序。为堵塞原有选举制度的漏洞，切实贯彻“爱国者治港”原则，全国人大于2021年3月11日通过了《关于完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定》，保障了选举委员会界别分组一般选举、立法会换届选举和行政长官选举的顺利进行。Over the past two years, like other places in the world, Hong Kong has been hit hard by the global public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the fifth-wave epidemic at the beginning of this year. While the epidemic has as well plagued the Chinese mainland, the central government, as well as other mainland provinces, spared no effort in sending experts and medical support teams to Hong Kong. They assisted us in establishing community treatment and isolation facilities within a short period of time, also collaborated with the medical professionals of the Hospital Authority in providing treatment for the COVID-19 patients. Their support has significantly enhanced Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work on reducing the numbers of severe cases and deaths, and also relieved the pressure on our public hospitals at the height of epidemic. 过去两年，新冠肺炎疫情成为全球公共卫生危机，香港亦遭受重创，尤其是今年年初暴发的第五波疫情。尽管内地也受到疫情的影响，但中央政府以及其他内地省份不遗余力地派遣专家和医疗队驰援香港。他们帮助我们在短时间内建立了社区治疗和隔离设施，并与医院管理局的医务人员合作，为新冠肺炎患者提供治疗。他们的支持有力地推动了香港的抗疫工作，减少了重症病例和死亡人数，也减轻了疫情高峰期香港公立医院面临的压力。Time and again, the staunch and resolute support from the central government and mainland compatriots - together with remarkable resilience and unbeatable spirit of the people of Hong Kong - have turned crises into opportunities. Having gone through unprecedented challenges in recent years, it is now incumbent on us to leverage the advantages of "One Country, Two Systems" and capitalize on our unique strengths to contribute to the country as well as maintaining the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.在中央政府与内地同胞的坚定支持下，香港居民非凡的韧性和不屈不挠的精神使我们一次次化危为机。近年来，我们克服了前所未有的挑战，如今我们应当发挥“一国两制”的制度优势，同时善用我们自身独特所长以贡献国家，维护香港的长期繁荣稳定。Starting a new chapter together towards prosperity and good governanceWith the overwhelming support from the EC members, John Lee was elected as the sixth-term chief executive of the HKSAR on May 8, 2022. During a meeting in Beijing last month, President Xi commended Lee for his unwavering patriotism and his contributions to safeguard national security. President Xi also said that Hong Kong has returned from chaos to stability and is now at a critical moment of moving towards prosperity and he believed our city would herald a new atmosphere and write a new chapter for development.
2022年5月8日，在绝大多数选委会成员的支持下，李家超先生当选为香港特区第六任行政长官。上个月，国家主席习近平在北京会见李家超先生时，赞扬他爱国爱港，立场坚定，为维护国家安全作出了贡献。习主席还指出，香港已实现由乱到治的重大转折，正处在由治及兴的关键时期，他相信新一届特别行政区政府施政一定会展现新气象，香港发展一定会谱写新篇章。
John Lee waves to people at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, south China, May 8, 2022. /XinhuaIn Lee's election manifesto outlining the vision to build a more liveable, open, vibrant and united city, he pledged to improve Hong Kong's overall competitiveness, solidify our position as a leading international city and proactively facilitate Hong Kong's integration into national development. Lee also highlighted the importance of building an effective government, which adopts a result-oriented approach. 在李家超先生的参选政纲中，他表示期望建立一个更宜居、更开放、更有活力和更团结的城市，承诺全面提高香港的竞争力，巩固香港作为国际大都会的地位，同时主动融入国家发展大局。他亦强调建立一个高效政府的重要性，并采用“以结果为目标”的施政方针。As president of the LegCo, I am particularly pleased to learn that Lee has prioritized the improvement of governing effectiveness by working in concert with LegCo and strengthening the communication and coordination between government officials and LegCo members. Under the constitutional order as enshrined in the Basic Law, the LegCo has a unique role to monitor the work of the Hong Kong local government and complement with the administration through deliberation of legislative and public expenditure proposals put forward by the government.
作为立法会主席，我特别高兴看到李家超先生把提高施政效能放在首位，将与立法会通力合作，加强政府官员与立法会议员的沟通协调。在《基本法》确立的宪制秩序下，立法会承担独特角色，既监察特区政府的工作，也承担通过审议特区政府提出的法案和公共开支建议等协助施政的责任。With a new composition and expanded membership size of 90 members under the improved electoral system, the seventh LegCo has returned to the long-awaited rationality and members could conduct LegCo business efficiently. The most recent example is the deliberation and approval of relevant legislative and funding proposals for the reorganization of the government's structure. The restructuring proposal, in essence, creating three deputy secretaries of department and two new bureau heads, aims to enhance the effectiveness of governance to better meet social expectations and complement the policy focuses of the new-term government. While LegCo members have carefully deliberated and scrutinized the restructuring proposal in the council and various committee meetings, the timely approval of the proposal has facilitated a smooth transition of the governments and the formation of the new governing team which was appointed by the central government on June 19, 2022.经完善选举制度后，第七届立法会的组成焕然一新，议员人数扩大至90人，恢复了各方期待已久的理性，议员们可以有效地开展立法会事务。近期，立法会审议并通过了特区政府架构重组方案的立法和拨款建议。重组方案增设三名副司长及两名新局长，旨在提升施政效能，以更好地满足社会期望，并配合新一届政府的施政重点。立法会议员在立法会及各委员会会议上仔细讨论和审议架构重组方案，而方案的及时通过，有助于新一届政府与上届政府顺利交接，并组建中央政府在2022年6月19日委任的新一届管治团队。It is worth to note that, of the 26 principal officials of the sixth-term HKSAR government being appointed, five of them had been LegCo members. In addition, eight incumbent LegCo members were invited to join the Executive Council (ExCo), comprising half of the membership of the non-official members of the new-term ExCo. It is also the first time for an incumbent LegCo member to be invited as the convener of the non-official members of the ExCo. With the experience in the legislature and network in the community, they could better serve as a bridge between the government and the general public. The arrangements do not only strengthen the ties between the executive and legislative branches for good governance, it will also help the government to garner views in the early stage of policy formulation and canvass support from various political parties in the LegCo.值得一提的是，在第六届特区政府获委任的26名主要官员中，有5人曾是立法会议员。此外，有八位现任立法会议员获邀加入行政会议，占新一届行政会议非官守成员的一半。这亦是首次有现任立法会议员获邀担任行政会议非官守成员召集人。凭借在立法机关的工作经验和在社区的人脉网络，他们可以更好地充当政府与公众之间的桥梁。这些安排不仅可以加强行政和立法机关之间的联系，以实现良政善治，还可以帮助政府在政策制定初期收集意见，并争取立法会各派别的支持。As Hong Kong is stepping out from the impact of the fifth-wave epidemic, it is imperative to renew our efforts in bringing continuous impetus to Hong Kong's economy and enhancing our role in the country's dual-circulation economic strategy. The new-term HKSAR government must seize the opportunities arising from the national 14th Five-Year Plan, the Belt and Road Initiative and the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. While Lee's governing team will lead with strategic thinking and broad vision in formulating policies that can leverage Hong Kong's advantages and meet the country's needs, LegCo members also have a pivotal role in providing useful advice with their professional knowledge and practical experience in various fields. 随着香港逐步摆脱第五波疫情的影响，我们必须再接再厉，持续推动香港经济发展，提升香港在国家双循环经济战略中的作用。新一届香港特区政府必须抓住国家“十四五”规划、“一带一路”倡议和粤港澳大湾区快速发展所带来的机遇。李家超的管治团队将以战略思维和开阔视野，制定能发挥香港优势且契合国家需要的政策，而立法会议员亦会发挥关键作用，凭借他们在不同领域的专业知识和实践经验，提供有价值的建议。Yet we must not overlook the immense difficulties encountered by the general public, in particular the grassroots and local businesses, who were adversely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. In the course of development, Hong Kong society has been facing a range of deep-seated social and economic problems, including housing, healthcare; welfare for the elderly and the underprivileged, upward mobility for the youths and the need for economic diversification. Lee and his governing team must waste no time to resolve these pressing issues to expedite economic recovery and improve people's livelihood. The new-term government also needs to rally and unite all sectors of the society by reaching out to the public and solicit support for its policies tactfully. LegCo members are charged with the responsibility of speaking on behalf of their constituencies and conveying people's concerns to the government. With a positive and interactive executive-legislative relationship, I believe the government would humbly listen to different voices and serve the public with practical actions. 然而，我们绝不能忽视广大群众，特别是基层市民和本地企业在疫情中所遇到的巨大困难。在发展过程中，香港社会一直面对一系列深层次的社会和经济问题，包括住房、医疗、养老、弱势群体帮扶、年轻人的上升空间以及经济多元化等。李家超先生及其管治团队必须抓紧解决这些迫切问题，以加快经济复苏和改善民生。新一届政府也需要团结社会各界力量，主动接触巿民，情理兼备地争取他们支持政府的政策。立法会议员有责任代表他们的选民发言，向特区政府转达人民的关切。当行政和立法机关建立起积极互动关系，我相信政府会虚心听取不同的声音，以实际行动服务市民。Hong Kong is entering a new era towards prosperity and governance, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The new-term government under the leadership of John Lee, the LegCo members elected under the improved electoral system and various sectors in the community must rise to the challenges and join hands to strive for the best for Hong Kong with sustained perseverance. As long as we stay true to the original aspiration of "One Country, Two Systems" and utilize its institutional strengths, I am fully confident that our home city will further prosper and continue to shine. 香港正迈向繁荣与良政善治的新时代，但我们不能自满。李家超先生领导下的新一届政府、新选举制度下选出的立法会议员，以及社会各界，都必须迎难而上、携手共进，再接再厉，为香港谋发展。只要不忘“一国两制”的初心，充分发挥制度优势，我相信我们的城市一定会更加繁荣美好，持续闪耀。