香港特别行政区行政长官
董建华献辞

　　香港能够稳当国际金融商贸枢纽，成为亚洲国际都会，本地报业居功不少。资讯自由流通，向来对工商企业至关重要，在瞬息万变的全球一体化时代，更是成功关键。

　　香港繁荣的另一要素，是提升社会整体语文水平。有见及此，语文教育及研究常务委员会特从语文基金拨款，赞助今届「最佳新闻奖」六个奖项。

　　举办最佳新闻奖，有助提高新闻记者和摄影记者的专业水平。谨向今晚各位得奖者致贺。你们精益求精、力臻至善、探实求真的精神，的确应予表扬。

　　香港报业公会多年来对香港社会贡献良多，同样值得赞许。谨借公会五十周年纪庆，衷心致意。

    Hong Kong's newspapers have contributed significantly to our status as an international financial and trade hub-indeed, as Asia's world city. The free flow of information has always been vital to business, and never more so than in this fast-paced era of globalisation.

    Another essential factor in Hong Kong's development is raising the overall language standards of the community. That's why the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research has allocated funds from the Language Fund to sponsor six of the Hong Kong News Awards.

    The Hong Kong News Awards also help foster higher professional standards among our news reporters and photojournalists. To tonight's winners, my congratulations. I salute your excellence, your resourcefulness and your pursuit of quality.

    Last but not least, I congratulate the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong on your 50th anniversary, and commend you for your outstanding work in our community.