Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Stephen Phillips is director-general of investment promotion at Invest Hong Kong. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
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。傅仲森是香港特區政府投資推廣署署長。本文僅為作者個人觀點，不代表CGTN立場。
The year 2022 marks an important milestone for Hong Kong as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). As we look back, there are plenty of economic achievements that we should be proud of, and as we look forward, we see a bright future ahead thanks to our strong ties with our country's economy.
2022年是香港特區成立25周年，也是香港發展的重要里程碑。回首往昔，我們為香港取得的經濟成就感到自豪；展望未來，受益於國家經濟發展大局，這座城市的前途必將更加光明。
Let us first look at some of the milestones.Since 1997, Hong Kong's per capita GDP grew by 2.2 percent per annum in real terms, reaching $49,800 in 2021. Total merchandise trade value surged from HK$3,071 billion ($391.34 billion) in 1997 to HK$10,268 billion ($1,308.45 billion) in 2021, up by 234 percent. The total stock market capitalization rose from HK$3.2 trillion ($0.41 trillion) in 1997 to HK$42.4 trillion ($5.4 trillion) in 2021. Meanwhile, the number of listed companies rose from 658 to 2572. The average daily turnover of the securities market went up from HK$15.5 billion ($1.98 billion) in 1997 to HK$166.7 billion ($21.24 billion) in 2021. Hong Kong ranks third in the latest Global Financial Centers Index.
讓我們首先回顧香港發展過程中的重要里程碑。自1997年以來，香港的人均實際GDP年均增速為2.2%，在2021年達到38.7萬港元。商品貿易總額從1997年的30710億港元猛增至2021年的102,680億港元，增長了234%。股市總市值從1997年底的3.2萬億港元增至2021年底的42.4萬億港元。與此同時，上市公司數量由658家增至2572家。證券市場日均成交額從1997年的155億港元上升至2021年的1667億港元。香港在最新的全球金融中心指數中排名第三。
For these reasons and many more, Hong Kong is a leading international business hub. Throughout Hong Kong's history, global status helped our economy grow and diversify, and this is more relevant today than ever as we are playing an increasingly key role in our country's continuous economic advancement. At the same time, this also helps us to attract foreign investment from around the world.
受眾多有利因素推動，香港已成為全球領先的國際商業中心。縱觀香港歷史，這座城市的國際地位有助於我們實現經濟增長和多元化，這一點在今天比以往任何時候都更加重要，因為香港在國家經濟的持續發展中發揮著越來越重要的作用。與此同時，這也有助於我們吸引來自世界各地的投資。
As two of our annual surveys show, 9049 overseas and mainland companies in all sizes and sectors were operating in Hong Kong in 2021, and our city has 3755 startups, 28 percent of which are from outside of Hong Kong. This is a strong testament to our global appeal – both at record levels.
我們的兩項年度調查顯示，2021年有9049家不同規模和行業的海外及內地公司在香港運營。此外香港還有3755家初創企業，其中28%來自香港以外的地區。這兩項指標均達到創紀錄的水平，有力地證明了我們的全球吸引力。
We have earned this on our solid foundations of enduring advantages including an ideal geographical location in Asia, a free market mechanism, including free flow of capital and people, the rule of law, our internationally-minded talent pool, plus unrivalled connection with the rest of the business world and more.
我們在亞洲有理想的地理位置、自由的市場體制（包括資本和人員的自由流動）、法治、具有國際視野的高素質人才儲備，以及與其他商貿區域聯繫緊密等長期優勢，這些都是我們取得上述成就的堅實基礎。
But the future is brighter still. With this, Hong Kong is well positioned to benefit from the country's dual-circulation economic development model. On the one hand, many foreign companies leverage Hong Kong platform to access the growing domestic demand of Chinese mainland. On the other hand, mainland companies make use of Hong Kong to connect with the rest of the world tapping opportunities from the external demand.
我相信前路同樣將更加光明。坐擁上述優勢的香港完全有能力從國家的「雙循環」經濟發展模式中獲益。一方面，許多外國公司利用香港這一門戶，進入內需日益增長的內地市場。另一方面，內地企業利用香港與世界其他地區的聯繫，從外部需求中尋求機會。
A sailboat with celebratory posters marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland sails at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, south China, June 23, 2022. /Xinhua
For inward investment, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) offers a market of scale, depth and breadth to multinationals and startups based in Hong Kong. A veritable magnet for inbound investment and an opportunity that I say to businesses around the world is too significant to ignore. In fact, as Invest Hong Kong's portfolio show, over 50 percent of companies we assisted in 2021 indicated to us that GBA development is one of the main reasons why they are investing in Hong Kong.
對外資而言，粵港澳大灣區為香港的跨國公司和初創企業提供了一個規模體量大、兼具深度和廣度的市場。大灣區是一個名副其實的吸引外資的「磁鐵」，我對世界各地的企業說，這是一個不容忽視的重大機會。事實上，正如香港投資推廣署的業務構成所示，在我們2021年協助的公司中，超過50%的公司向我們表示大灣區的發展是他們投資香港的主要原因之一。
However, this is just one dimension of GBA. Just as important is the outbound trade and investment from GBA to Hong Kong and beyond, which drives many new commercial opportunities too. What is more, this is all set to be "turbo-charged" by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
然而，這只是大灣區的作用之一。同樣，大灣區對香港及其他地區的外貿與投資也會帶來許多新的商機。更重要的是, 《區域全面經濟夥伴關係協定》的簽訂將強力助推香港與內地的雙向經貿往來。
In an ever more complex world, I have no doubt that Hong Kong's role and relevance is global and this will continue. Our precise role is unique to every business. Crucially, the job of my colleagues and I is to help companies formulate the right strategy and plans. I am confident too that Hong Kong's ability to adapt will remain one of its greatest strengths. And I think we are witnessing one of those significant transitions now: from a role at the center of East-West trade and investment, to one that is increasingly about trade and investment flows intra-Asia and hence more north-south.
在這個日益複雜的世界裡，我毫不懷疑香港的作用和意義是全球性的，這一定位將繼續保持下去。我們在與不同企業合作時，發揮著不同的作用。關鍵在於，我與我的同事們一道，幫助企業制定正確的戰略和計劃。我也相信，香港的適應能力仍將是其最大優勢之一。我認為我們正在見證香港的重大轉變：過去香港是東西方貿易和投資的中心，如今香港日益成為亞洲內部、以及亞洲南北向貿易和投資的樞紐。
We have undoubtedly been through a turbulent and challenging period, but throughout my views and confidence have remained resolutely upbeat. At risk of being clichéd, for businesses to thrive, it is important to cut through the noise, to see the wood for the trees. Businesses invest on factual information and informed analysis, not headlines.
我們無疑經歷了一個動盪和充滿挑戰的時期，但在整個過程中，我始終信念堅定、積極樂觀。這裡我再老調重彈一下：企業要發展好，關鍵是要排除雜音干擾，透過現象看本質。企業投資要基於事實信息和深度分析，而不是跟風炒作。
Myself, my colleagues in Hong Kong headquarters and 31 offices across major mainland and overseas cities communicate on a daily basis with executives in Hong Kong and in different parts of the world, telling them the true Hong Kong story, our strengths, our unique market position in terms of the GBA as well as our Asian connections.
我本人、香港總部的同事以及分布在內地及海外主要城市的31個辦事處，每天都與香港和世界不同地區的高管進行交流，向他們講述真實的香港故事、我們的優勢、我們在大灣區中的獨特市場地位，以及我們與亞洲各地的聯繫。
So, as we celebrate Hong Kong's 25th anniversary, we look forward to celebrating even more successes in the years to come. My colleagues and I around the world and across our country look forward to helping even more businesses and entrepreneurs, to make good use of our global role and be part of the country's economic growth. Without a doubt our future will be brighter than ever.
因此，在慶祝香港回歸25周年之際，我們期待在未來能夠取得更大的成功。我與海內外同事期待能夠幫助更多的企業和企業家，充分利用香港的國際地位，為中國的經濟增長貢獻力量。我們的未來肯定會更加美好！