香港特區(qū)行政長官曾蔭權在禮賓府新春酒會的致辭
2010年2月22日

Speech at the Spring Reception at Government House
by the Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mr Donald Tsang
February 22, 2010

各位嘉賓、朋友：

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

大家好！新春佳節(jié)，我先祝大家新年進步，希望大家在新一年好像老虎一樣，充滿干勁和力量，龍精虎猛，虎虎生威。

Good afternoon. In this festive season, let me start by wishing you all good progress and good health in the Year of the Tiger.

剛過去的牛年，充滿起落和變化。記得去年農歷新年時，全球經濟受到金融海嘯的嚴重沖擊，前景極不明朗，市民過節(jié)的心情大受影響。

According to the Chinese zodiac, the ox is supposed to stand for steadiness and stability. Yet the past year, the Year of the Ox, turned out to be full of fluctuations and changes. I remember during the last Spring Festival, the global economy was hard hit by the financial tsunami and the uncertain economic outlook dimmed our festive mood.

其后，各國政府推出的刺激經濟措施開始發(fā)揮作用，加上內地經濟保持高增長，好消息陸續(xù)傳來。本港經濟在第二季出現(xiàn)反彈后，持續(xù)有所改善。第四季本地生產總值后日預算案才揭曉，預料將回復按年正增長。

Then the massive stimulus measures launched by governments around the globe began to take effect. Coupled with sustained high economic growth on the Mainland, Hong Kong's economy continued to improve at the heels of a rebound in the second quarter. The GDP for the fourth quarter will be announced on the Budget Day. We expect it to return to a year-on-year positive growth.

虎年伊始，祝愿香港以及全球經濟，如虎添翼，屢創(chuàng)佳績。上星期公布的數(shù)據(jù)顯示就業(yè)情況持續(xù)改善，最新一季的失業(yè)率維持4.9%，是去年年初以來的低位。另外，香港新股上市集資額躍升全球第一位、消費市道亦回復暢旺。

As we begin the new year of the Tiger, which symbolises prowess, I hope that local and global economies can continue to improve. The latest statistics indicate that the labour market is improving continuously - the jobless rate for the latest quarter remained at 4.9%, the lowest since the beginning of last year. Moreover, Hong Kong ranked first globally in terms of amount of IPO raised last year. Consumers' confidence has also picked up.

早前一項調查發(fā)現(xiàn)，超過六成的受訪者預期新一年香港整體發(fā)展會有改善，人數(shù)較去年大幅上升了近五成。有研究指出，樂觀是成功的要素之一，見到大家對前景投下信心一票，固然值得高興，不過，樂觀還樂觀，我們都要未雨綢繆，時刻保持警惕。

A survey conducted earlier revealed that more than 60% of the respondents expect improvement in Hong Kong's overall development in the coming year, a surge of nearly 50% over the figure last year. Studies show that optimism is an essential element for success, so I am glad that you have cast a vote of confidence in Hong Kong. Having said that, we must stay vigilant and brace ourselves for possibly rough times ahead.

目前的經濟狀況雖然有所改善，但復蘇的步伐仍然未穩(wěn)：外圍經濟仍存有變數(shù)，各地的退市政策亦可能令市場出現(xiàn)波動，再加上資金流入，本港資產價格上升，令通脹的風險再次浮現(xiàn)。這些問題，我們都不能掉以輕心，我和我的同事會好小心評估和處理。

Despite signs of improvement, the steadiness of economic recovery remains uncertain. The external economic environment is subject to change and market fluctuations may occur when countries begin to withdraw their stimulus packages. Influx of capital will push up local asset prices and incur inflation risks. All these factors cannot be taken lightly. My colleagues and I will assess and handle them with care.

樂觀的人在每個困難中都看到機會。新一年雖然充滿挑戰(zhàn)，但同時亦充滿機遇和希望，我會好像廣大市民那樣，抱樂觀的態(tài)度面對。大家一齊努力，好好發(fā)揮香港人過去成功的要素──就是自強不息，不斷提升自己，為香港尋找更多發(fā)展機遇。

An optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. Looking ahead, we may see a year fuel with challenges, and yet it may also be a year of opportunities and hope. Like my fellow citizens, I will embrace the future with optimism. Let's work together to give full play to our strengths - always persevere, always strive for excellence, and always look for opportunities for the betterment of Hong Kong.

牛年，令我們可以在“經濟大蕭條”的陰霾下重見“牛市”。如果生肖真是這樣奇妙，我祝愿虎年大家都能發(fā)揮老虎的勇氣和力量，為廿一世紀第二個十年，邁出成功的第一步。

In the past year, the Year of the Ox, we witnessed the return of a "bull market" amid the looming threat of a "great depression". If the Chinese zodiac is that prescient, I wish you all the courage and strength of the tiger to stride into the second decade of the 21st century.