This Is a Historic Occasion这是一个具有历史意义的时刻
Your excellency Chairman Deng Xiaoping， your excellency President Li
Xiannian， your excellency ladies and gentlemen：
尊敬的中国国家领导人邓小平、李先念、各位贵宾：
This is a historic occasion. And I'm particularly pleased to see that
Chairman Deng Xiaoping is able to be present． The Joint Declaration on
the Future of Hong Kong which you have just signed on behalf of our two
governments， is a landmark in the light of the territory， in the course
ofAnglo.Chinese relations， and in the history of international diplomacy
The Agreement establishes a firm basis for confidence in Hong Kong after
l997 and beyond， and for it's continued stability, prosperity and growth.
这是一个具有历史意义的时刻。邓小平主席能够光临，我感到特别高兴。刚才我们分别代表各自政府签署的关于香港前途的联合声明，在香港的生活中、在英中关系的历程中以及在国际外交史上都是一个里程碑。这个协议为从现在起到1997年和1997年以后这段时期保持对香港的信心以及为继续保持香港的稳定、繁荣和发展奠定了坚实的基础。
I remember with pleasure my last visit to China in September 1982 and
my discussions with Chinese leaders． At my meeting with Chairman Deng Xiaoping
on that occasion， we agreed to open talks on the future of Hong Kong. Our
common aim was to maintain the territory's stability and prosperity， the
generous spirit of pride and of optimism about the future that I now return
to sign the Agreement， which is the result of these talks.
我愉快地回忆起我于1982年9月对中国的访问以及我同中国领导人的会谈。那次我会见邓小平主席时，我们同意就香港前途开始会谈。我们共同的目的是维护香港的稳定和繁荣，正是本着自豪和对前途充满乐观的精神，我再次来到北京签署作为会谈成果的这项协议。
The Agreement fully meets the political requirements of Britain and
China as well as the interests of the Hong Kong people. It provides the
framework in which as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic
of China， Hong Kong will maintain it's economic system and way of life
for 50 years after the first of July， 1997.
这项协议完全符合英中两国的政治要求和香港人民的利益。它提供了一个框架，根据这个框架，香港作为中华人民共和国的一个特别行政区，在1997年7用1日以后的五十年中，将保持其经济制度和生活方式。
Igree of autonomy Hong Kong people wt gives Hong Kong a high deill administer
Hong Kong and a SpeciaI Administrative Region will pass it's own legislation.
It allows Hong Kong to continue to decide its own economic, financial and
trade policies， and to participate as appropriate in international organizations
and agreements． It preserves Hong Kong's familiar legal system and the
rights and freedoms enjoyed there. In short， it provides the assurances
for the future which Hong Kong needs in order to continue to play its unique
role in the world as a trading and financial center.
协议给予香港高度的自治权：香港人民将管理香港、特别行政区将制定自己的法律。协议允许香港继续制定自己的经济、财政和贸易政策，并适当地参加国际组织和协定。它保持了香港所熟悉的法律制度及其享有的权利和自由。总之，协议为香港的未来提供了所需要的保证，使香港能继续作为贸易和金融中心在世界上发挥
独特的作用。
These qualities in the Agreement， have been recognized by the British
Parliament and by the standing Committee of the NationaI People's congress
of China， which have approved the intention of our governments to Proceed
to signature. The agreement has been subject to a thorough public debate
among those whose future it will determine--the people of Hong Kong． Although
they have expressed some reservations, and sought
clarification on particular points， they have clearly judged it to be acceptable
to them as a whole. The Agreement has been widely praised by other governments，
in international rganizations and in financial and economic circles.
英国议会和中国全国人民代表大会常务委员会都认可了协议中的这些特点，并批准了各自政府进行签署的意向。香港人民对决定他们前途的协议进行了充分的公开辩论。虽然他们表示有些保留，并要求澄清某些具体问题，但很明显，他们认为，协议总的来说是可以接受的。这一协议也受到了其他国家的政府、国际组织以及金融和经济界的广泛赞扬。
The Secretary General of the United Nations has described it as an examp1e
for other countries in the way in which difflcult international problems
can be successfully resolved． International good will and support will
be vital for Hong Kong in the future and I have no doubt that it will be
forthcoming.
联合国秘书长说，这个协议为其他国家树立了一个成功地解决困难的国际问题的榜样。国际善意和支持今后对香港至关重要。我毫不怀疑，香港会得到这种善意和支持。
The negotiation itself has brought our countries closer together，It has increased
our mutual understanding， respect and trust． I am convinced that as we
work together in the future， we shall be laying the foundation for an even
closer and deeper relationship that is good for Britain， good for China
and good for the world． Above all， it is good for the people of HongKong.
We are privileged today to take part with our Chinese friends inthe unique
occasion. The circumstances are unique， the Agreement is unique.
谈判本身使我们两国的关系更加密切了，它增进了我们之间的相互了解、尊重和信任。我相信，在今后的合作中，我们将为进一步加强和巩固两国之问的关系奠定基础。这对英国有利，对中国有利，对世界也有利。最重要的是，这对香港人民有利。今天，我们荣幸地同
中国朋友一起参加一个独特的仪式。情况是独特的，协议也是独特的。
It is right that we should feel a sense of history and of confidence
in the future. I thank you for the privilege of being present of this signature
ceremony.
我们的确应该有一种历史感，一种对未来的信心。最后感谢诸位光临签字仪式。 |