Editor’s note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. John Leung is the Director of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
July 1 is a memorable and joyful day for Hong Kong people, particularly for those who witnessed the return of the city to the motherland and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" 25 years ago.对香港人来说，7月1日是一个值得纪念和庆祝的日子。25年前，香港回归祖国，香港特别行政区在“一国两制”方针的指引下正式成立，这一天对于历史见证者来说，更有着特别的意义。Some Western media predicted the "death of Hong Kong" in the run-up to 1997 and after. But such predictions have been proved wrong. Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong did face various challenges, from the Asian financial tsunami in 1997, SARS in 2003, the Great Recession of 2008, social turmoil in 2019, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, with the strong support of the central government, Hong Kong has shown immense resilience, riding through these difficult times and going from strength to strength.一些西方媒体曾在1997年前后预言“香港之死”。事实证明，这种预测是错误的。在过去25年里，香港确实面临各种挑战：从1997年的亚洲金融海啸、2003年的非典疫情、2008年的全球金融危机，到2019年的社会乱局，以及新冠肺炎疫情。然而，在中央政府的大力支持下，香港表现出强大的韧性，渡过了这些困难时期，并不断向前发展。The successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" has proved to be the fundamental safeguard for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. After months of social unrest in 2019, Hong Kong has regained stability with the implementation of the national security law and improvements to its electoral systems in the past two years. As we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic, the six-term government of the HKSAR, which takes office on July 1, is gearing up to embark on a new chapter for building our economy and improving people's livelihood.实践证明，“一国两制”的成功实践是香港长期繁荣稳定的根本保障。经过2019年数月的社会动荡，随着港区国安法的实施和选举制度的完善，香港在过去两年中已恢复稳定。在疫情逐渐平息之际，新一届特区政府于7月1日就职，将开启香港经济建设和民生改善的新篇章。The National 14th Five-Year Plan, approved by the National People's Congress in March 2021, has opened up vast opportunities under the concept of "dual circulation" for economic development driven by innovation and reform. As a gateway, springboard and intermediary for economic and cultural exchanges, Hong Kong is an important channel for the country to connect with the international community. We have entered an era of opportunities, further leveraging the advantages of "One Country" and "Two Systems." 2021年3月，全国人大正式通过“十四五”规划。以“双循环”发展理念为引领，这份规划以创新和改革为动力，开辟了广阔的经济发展机遇。作为经济和文化交流的门户、跳板和桥梁纽带，香港是祖国与国际接轨的重要渠道。我们已经进入重要机遇期，应进一步发挥“一国两制”的优势。Hong Kong is committed to upgrading our four traditional centers of finance transportation, trade and international legal and dispute resolution services. We are also playing to our strengths in four emerging areas: innovation and technology, aviation, international cultural exchanges, and intellectual property trading. 香港致力于强化升级自身的四个传统中心地位，即金融中心、航运中心、贸易中心和国际法律及解决争议服务中心，并在科技创新、航空、国际文化交流，以及知识产权贸易这四个新兴领域发挥我们的优势。We are glad to see significant developments in some of these strategic areas in the past few months.我们高兴地看到，在过去几个月里，其中一些战略领域出现了重大进展。In terms of innovation and technology, InnoHK, Hong Kong's flagship initiative for promoting global research collaboration, was officially launched on May 25. The initiative puts Hong Kong on the global advanced technology map. A total of 28 research laboratories have been admitted, involving seven local universities and research institutions, as well as over 30 institutions from 11 economies, and pooling up to 2,000 researchers locally and from all over the world.在科技创新方面，InnoHK创新香港研发平台于5月25日正式启动，这是香港的科创旗舰计划，旨在促进全球科研合作。它标志着香港在全球先进科技版图上占据一席之地。28所研发实验室获选进驻，汇聚七个本地院校和研发机构，以及30多个来自全球11个经济体的机构，参与的本地和海内外科研人员合共约2000人。The groundbreaking ceremony for the Chinese Medicine Hospital (CMH) and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) held on June 2 were two more noteworthy events. The CMH will promote the development of services, education, training, innovation and research of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong. The GCMTI will specialize in the testing and scientific research of Chinese Medicine, with a focus on the research and establishment of internationally recognized reference standards on Chinese Medicine safety, quality and testing methodology. Both institutions are due to be completed in 2025.同样值得关注的是，6月2日香港首家中医医院和中药检测中心的动土仪式在港举行。中医医院将发展成为本地的旗舰中医药机构，促进香港的中医药服务、教育、培训、创新和研究。中药检测中心将专门从事中药检测和科学研究，重点是在中药安全、质量和检测方法等方面，研究和建立国际公认的参考标准。这两个项目都计划于2025年完工。Hong Kong has come a long way in advancing innovation and technology as part of its efforts to diversify Hong Kong's economy. Over the past five years, the SAR government has invested over HK$150 billion ($19 billion) and rolled out a series of measures to encourage R&D, nurture talents and improve infrastructure.为了实现香港经济多元化，香港在推动科技创新发展方面取得了长足的进步。过去五年，特区政府投入逾1500亿港元，推出一系列鼓励研发、培养人才及改善基建的措施。Our commitment to innovation and technology development is also featured in the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, which will guide Hong Kong's visionary development through the next decade. The blueprint aims to develop a new city center with the innovation and technology industry as the economic engine. The development of the Northern Metropolis will also enhance the cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and facilitate our integration into the overall development of our country.我们对科创发展的承诺也体现在《北部都会区发展策略》中，这项策略将指导香港在未来十年左右的远景发展。该蓝图计划打造一个以科技产业为经济发展引擎的城市新中心。北部都会区的发展也将加强香港与深圳的合作往来，促进香港融入国家的发展大局。On international dispute resolution services, the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) opened its Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Center on May 25. The establishment of the center marks a major milestone in the development of Hong Kong as a leading center for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, and constitutes a significant vote of confidence from the Central Government and the AALCO to Hong Kong.在国际争议解决服务方面，亚非法律协商组织（AALCO）于5月25日开设香港区域仲裁中心。该中心的成立是一座重要里程碑，标志着香港发展成为亚太区领先的国际法律及解决争议服务中心，彰显出中央政府和亚非法律协商组织对香港的坚定信心。
An external view of the Hong Kong Palace Museum in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China./CFP
On the cultural front, Hong Kong's newest arts and cultural landmark, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), held its opening ceremony on June 22. As a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum in Beijing, the HKPM promotes the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture, and it will also foster cultural exchanges with the international community. It marks a new chapter for Hong Kong in developing itself into an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan.在文化领域，香港最新的文化艺术地标——香港故宫文化博物馆于6月22日举行开幕典礼。作为西九文化区管理局和北京故宫博物院的合作项目，香港故宫文化博物馆致力于促进民众对中华艺术文化的研究和鉴赏，并促进与国际社会的文化交流。它标志着香港正开启新篇章，逐渐发展成为“十四五”规划中的中外文化艺术交流中心。We are also pursuing new initiatives on other fronts. For example, on financial services, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong regulators recently reached an agreement to include exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the "Stock Connect" program. This will allow investors to trade eligible ETFs listed on both the mainland and Hong Kong exchanges by using local securities firms or brokerages. On aviation, Hong Kong is completing its third runway for meeting long-term air traffic demand at Hong Kong International Airport and strengthening its status as a leading aviation hub. The entire three-runway system is expected to be finished in 2024, tying in with the expected revival of the aviation industry.我们还在其他领域推行新举措。例如，在金融服务领域，近期香港与内地监管机构达成协议，将交易所买卖基金（ETF）纳入互联互通项目。内地和香港投资者可以通过当地证券公司或经纪商，买卖对方交易所上市符合条件的ETF。在航空领域，香港正在建设第三条机场跑道，以满足香港国际机场长期的航班起降需求，并巩固其作为主要航空枢纽的地位。整个三跑道系统预计将在2024年建成，助力香港航空业复苏。No one could underestimate the challenges ahead in an increasingly turbulent global environment. But the proactive moves highlighted above show that Hong Kong is ready to usher in a new era that enables it to shine even brighter as the Pearl of the Orient in the next 25 years and beyond. Both the solid backing of the country and the joint efforts of the Hong Kong people will hold the key for the future success of the SAR.在日益动荡的全球环境中，任何人都不能低估未来的挑战。但上文所强调的积极举措表明，香港已经准备好迎接一个新时代，争取在未来25年及更长时间里，继续作为东方之珠绽放耀眼的光芒。国家的坚实后盾和香港居民的共同努力将是香港特别行政区未来成功的关键。 推荐阅读：