In this period of global market volatility and in the aftermath of the terrible events in the US and Bali, it is vital that we work together with our partners in Hong Kong and elsewhere to weather the difficulties and maintain our trading relationships. This is important for global prosperity.
在本轮全球市场波动时期以及美国和巴厘的恐怖事件后，我们与香港伙伴一起协作是很重要的，驱除困难保持我们的贸易关系。这对全球繁荣时很重要的。
China’s accession to the World Trade Organization has meant that the international business community is now focusing its attention on China and an increased number of companies are interested in accessing the market. This can only be good for Hong Kong. Although in the long run, it will be easier for western companies to enter the mainland market directly, the whole of China will not change overnight. In the meantime Hong Kong entrepreneurs with their understanding of Chinese culture and western business, can help SMEs navigate through the intricacies of doing business in China.
中国加入世界贸易组织意味着国际商业团体现在焦点放在中国，进入中国市场的公司不断增加，这对香港来说只有好处。尽管长期来看，西方国家公司直接进入中国大陆市场更容易些，但中国大陆不是一日就能改变的。同时香港企业家了解中国文化和西方商业，能帮助小企业绕过和中国合作中的漩涡。
Pessimists say that China’s WTO accession will make Hong Kong irrelevant, that Hong Kong’s role as a middleman will be undermined and that Shanghai will take over from Hong Kong as a regional headquarters and international finance center. I do not share this view.
悲观者说中国加入世界贸易组织将使香港不相关，说香港中中坚位置将被破坏，上海会取代香港成为区域和总部和国际金融中心。我不赞同此观点。