香港特别行政区政务司司长
张建宗先生献辞

对於新闻界来说，二零一八年是十分充实的一年，广深港高铁、港珠澳大桥等跨境基建相继开通，政府公布新的土地房屋政策，以及未来愿景计划，这些都是公众关注的重要消息。

言论、新闻和出版自由是本港的核心价值以及繁荣稳定的基石，受到《基本法》保障。香港报业多年来就时事作出长期跟进，广泛报道和深入分析，让公众加深认识，大大有助各界把握机遇，促进社会整体发展，实在贡献良多。

香港报业公会每年举办香港最佳新闻奖，表扬新闻工作者的杰出成就。今届新闻奖共颁发七十五个奖项，分为报道、写作、图片与设计四个组别，嘉许在不同方面表现出色的从业员，提升业界的专业水平。

谨此诚挚祝贺「二零一八年香港最佳新闻奖」各得奖者，并衷心感谢香港报业公会筹办评选活动。此外，也向来自新闻界、大学及商会的评委致敬；他们的参与，令评审结果更为各界广泛认受。

最后，谨祝香港报业百尺竿头，更进一步。

Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung 
Chief Secretary
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

The year 2018 was eventful for the press.  The successive opening of the two cross-boundary infrastructural facilities, namely the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, new policies on land and housing, as well as visionary plans for the future announced by the Government were all important news of public concern.

In Hong Kong, the freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication are the cornerstone for society and are safeguarded by the Basic Law.  By following up on current affairs on a long-term basis for extensive reporting and in-depth analysis to deepen public understanding of social issues, the press in Hong Kong has enabled different sectors to capitalise on the opportunities presented and promoted the overall development of society.  Its contributions are indeed significant.

Every year, the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong organises the Hong Kong News Awards to recognise the outstanding achievements of journalists.  A total of 75 awards are given this year in the four sections of Reporting, Writing, Photography and Design to acknowledge the excellent performance of the awardees and raise professional standards in respective aspects.

I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to all the winners of the Hong Kong News Awards 2018. My heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong for organising the competition.  I would also like to extend my warmest regards to the award adjudicators from the press, universities and chambers of commerce, whose participation has made the outcome of the adjudication more widely received by the public.

Last but not least, I wish the newspaper industry in Hong Kong continued success in the years ahead.