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 Bauhinia Magazine.

編者按：《決策者》是全球決策制定者分享對國際大事見解的平台。梁志仁是中華人民共和國香港特別行政區政府駐北京辦事處主任。本文僅為作者個人觀點，不代表紫荊雜誌立場。

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.

對香港人來說，7月1日是一個值得紀念和慶祝的日子。 25年前，香港回歸祖國，香港特別行政區在“一國兩制”方針的指引下正式成立，這一天對於歷史見證者來說，更有著特別的意義。

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.

一些西方媒體曾在1997年前後預言“香港之死”。事實證明，這種預測是錯誤的。在過去25年裡，香港確實面臨各種挑戰：從1997年的亞洲金融海嘯、2003年的非典疫情、2008年的全球金融危機，到2019年的社會亂局，以及新冠肺炎疫情。然而，在中央政府的大力支持下，香港表現出強大的韌性，渡過了這些困難時期，並不斷向前發展。

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.

實踐證明，“一國兩制”的成功實踐是香港長期繁榮穩定的根本保障。經過2019年數月的社會動盪，隨著港區國安法的實施和選舉制度的完善，香港在過去兩年中已恢復穩定。在疫情逐漸平息之際，新一屆特區政府於7月1日就職，將開啟香港經濟建設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，全國人大正式通過“十四五”規劃。以“雙循環”發展理念為引領，這份規劃以創新和改革為動力，開闢了廣闊的經濟發展機遇。作為經濟和文化交流的門戶、跳板和橋樑紐帶，香港是祖國與國際接軌的重要渠道。我們已經進入重要機遇期，應進一步發揮“一國兩制”的優勢。

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.

香港致力於強化升級自身的四個傳統中心地位，即金融中心、航運中心、貿易中心和國際法律及解決爭議服務中心，並在科技創新、航空、國際文化交流，以及知識產權貿易這四個新興領域發揮我們的優勢。

We are glad to see significant developments in some of these strategic areas in the past few months.

我們高興地看到，在過去幾個月裡，其中一些戰略領域出現了重大進展。

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.

在科技創新方面，InnoHK創新香港研發平台於5月25日正式啟動，這是香港的科創旗艦計劃，旨在促進全球科研合作。它標誌著香港在全球先進科技版圖上佔據一席之地。 28所研發實驗室獲選進駐，匯聚七個本地院校和研發機構，以及30多個來自全球11個經濟體的機構，參與的本地和海內外科研人員合共約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.

同樣值得關注的是，6月2日香港首家中醫醫院和中藥檢測中心的動土儀式在港舉行。中醫醫院將發展成為本地的旗艦中醫藥機構，促進香港的中醫藥服務、教育、培訓、創新和研究。中藥檢測中心將專門從事中藥檢測和科學研究，重點是在中藥安全、質量和檢測方法等方面，研究和建立國際公認的參考標準。這兩個項目都計劃於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.

為了實現香港經濟多元化，香港在推動科技創新發展方面取得了長足的進步。過去五年，特區政府投入逾1500億港元，推出一系列鼓勵研發、培養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.

我們對科創發展的承諾也體現在《北部都會區發展策略》中，這項策略將指導香港在未來十年左右的遠景發展。該藍圖計劃打造一個以科技產業為經濟發展引擎的城市新中心。北部都會區的發展也將加強香港與深圳的合作往來，促進香港融入國家的發展大局。

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.

在國際爭議解決服務方面，亞非法律協商組織（AALCO）於5月25日開設香港區域仲裁中心。該中心的成立是一座重要里程碑，標誌著香港發展成為亞太區領先的國際法律及解決爭議服務中心，彰顯出中央政府和亞非法律協商組織對香港的堅定信心。

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.

在文化領域，香港最新的文化藝術地標——香港故宮文化博物館於6月22日舉行開幕典禮。作為西九文化區管理局和北京故宮博物院的合作項目，香港故宮文化博物館致力於促進民眾對中華藝術文化的研究和鑑賞，並促進與國際社會的文化交流。它標誌著香港正開啟新篇章，逐漸發展成為“十四五”規劃中的中外文化藝術交流中心。

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.

我們還在其他領域推行新舉措。例如，在金融服務領域，近期香港與內地監管機構達成協議，將交易所買賣基金（ETF）納入互聯互通項目。內地和香港投資者可以通過當地證券公司或經紀商，買賣對方交易所上市符合條件的ETF。在航空領域，香港正在建設第三條機場跑道，以滿足香港國際機場長期的航班起降需求，並鞏固其作為主要航空樞紐的地位。整個三跑道系統預計將在2024年建成，助力香港航空業復甦。

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.

在日益動蕩的全球環境中，任何人都不能低估未來的挑戰。但上文所強調的積極舉措表明，香港已經準備好迎接一個新時代，爭取在未來25年及更長時間裡，繼續作為東方之珠綻放耀眼的光芒。國家的堅實後盾和香港居民的共同努力將是香港特別行政區未來成功的關鍵。

來源：CGTN