香港特区行政长官曾荫权在礼宾府新春酒会的致辞
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


各位嘉宾、朋友：


Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,


大家好！新春佳节，我先祝大家新年进步，希望大家在新一年好像老虎一样，充满干劲和力量，龙精虎猛，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.


刚过去的牛年，充满起落和变化。记得去年农历新年时，全球经济受到金融海啸的严重冲击，前景极不明朗，市民过节的心情大受影响。


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，各国政府推出的刺激经济措施开始发挥作用，加上内地经济保持高增长，好消息陆续传来。本港经济在第二季出现反弹后，持续有所改善。第四季本地生产总值后日预算案才揭晓，预料将回复按年正增长。


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，祝愿香港以及全球经济，如虎添翼，屡创佳绩。上星期公布的数据显示就业情况持续改善，最新一季的失业率维持4.9%，是去年年初以来的低位。另外，香港新股上市集资额跃升全球第一位、消费市道亦回复畅旺。


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.


早前一项调查发现，超过六成的受访者预期新一年香港整体发展会有改善，人数较去年大幅上升了近五成。有研究指出，乐观是成功的要素之一，见到大家对前景投下信心一票，固然值得高兴，不过，乐观还乐观，我们都要未雨绸缪，时刻保持警惕。


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.


目前的经济状况虽然有所改善，但复苏的步伐仍然未稳：外围经济仍存有变数，各地的退市政策亦可能令市场出现波动，再加上资金流入，本港资产价格上升，令通胀的风险再次浮现。这些问题，我们都不能掉以轻心，我和我的同事会好小心评估和处理。


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.


乐观的人在每个困难中都看到机会。新一年虽然充满挑战，但同时亦充满机遇和希望，我会好像广大市民那样，抱乐观的态度面对。大家一齐努力，好好发挥香港人过去成功的要素──就是自强不息，不断提升自己，为香港寻找更多发展机遇。


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，令我们可以在“经济大萧条”的阴霾下重见“牛市”。如果生肖真是这样奇妙，我祝愿虎年大家都能发挥老虎的勇气和力量，为廿一世纪第二个十年，迈出成功的第一步。


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.