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■香港蟬聯第十九年評為全球經濟最自由經濟體。圖為維港夜景。 資料圖片
美國傳統基金會及《華爾街日報》聯合發表全球經濟自由度指數，香港連續第十九年評為全球經濟最自由經濟體。香港自由市場獲得國際社會認同和推崇，顯示香港的營商環境仍具明顯的競爭優勢。當然，市場並非萬能，在全球化和經濟轉型的挑戰日益嚴峻的形勢下，香港應保持清醒，既不宜自我陶醉，亦不應墨守成規，應處理好經濟自由和政府責任的關係，重視政府作為經濟發展促進者的角色和功能，加快經濟發展，積極改善民生，保持領先地位。
傳統基金在肯定香港自由經濟地位的同時，又警告政府實行民粹政策，可能會影響未來排名，提醒本港應繼續「小政府」。發展經濟、改善民生是保持本港長期繁榮穩定的首要任務。
再者，香港地價高昂、貧富差距不斷擴大，低技術勞工被邊緣化，都是結構性的深層次社會矛盾，這些都不是依賴市場所能解決的，政府若一味袖手旁觀，只會令問題積重難返。
因此，特區政府在堅持自由市場經濟基本特點的同時，既不僵化死守「積極不干預」的政策，搞無為而治，也不宜全面干預市場，無所不為，做「全能政府」，而是要走「政府推動、市場運作」的道路。
Freedom is valuable but development is more important
The Heritage Foundation of the United States and The Wall Street Journal recently published the rankings of the Index of Economic Freedom and Hong Kong was ranked again the freest economy in the world for the 19th consecutive year. The fact that the free market of Hong Kong has gained international recognition and appraisal shows that the business environment here in Hong Kong still possesses obvious competitive edge. Surely, the market is not an all-powerful mechanism. Faced with the growing challenges of globalization and economic transformation, Hong Kong should remain vigilant. It should neither be complacent, nor should it hold fast to its status quo. Hong Kong has to duly handle the relationship between economic freedom and governmental responsibilities. The role and function of the government as a facilitator of economic development should be emphasized in order to accelerate economic development, actively improve people's livelihood and keep Hong Kong in the forefront.
While recognizing the position of Hong Kong掇 free economy, the Heritage Foundation also warns the government against the implementation of populist policies, which may affect Hong Kong掇 future ranking, and reminds Hong Kong to uphold the principle of 烑imited government*. Yet, if Hong Kong is to maintain its long term prosperity and stability, the first and foremost task is not only to pursue economic development but also to improve people's livelihood.
Moreover, the high cost of land in Hong Kong, the widening wealth gap and the marginalization of low skilled workers are all structural and deep-rooted contradictions in society. These cannot be solved by relying on the market alone. If the government remains inactive as an onlooker, these problems will only worsen to a point that is irreversible.
Therefore, while maintaining the basic characteristics of a free market economy, the HKSAR should not rigidly insist on the 烢ositive non-intervention policy* or simply adopt 涐nactive governance*. Neither should it carry out full-scale intervention on the market and have a finger in every pie, trying to be an 缹mnipotent government*. Instead, the HKSAR should take the approach in which 烠he government drives and the market operates*.（節自2013年1月11日香港《文匯報》） ■Translation by Tung-ming [ tungming23@gmail.com ]
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