“一个国家，两种制度”的构想不是今天形成的，而是几年以前，主要是在我们党的十一届三中全会以后形成的。
The ``one country, two systems'' concept was not formulated today.It has been in the making for several years now, ever since the Third Plenary Session of our Party's Eleventh Central Committee.
这个构想是从中国解决台湾问题和香港问题出发的。
The idea was first presented as a means of settling the Taiwan and Hong Kong questions.
十亿人口大陆的社会主义制度是不会改变的，永远不会改变。
The socialist system on the mainland, with its population of one billion, will not change, ever.
但是，根据香港和台湾的历史和实际情况，不保证香港和台湾继续实行资本主义制度，就不能保持它们的繁荣和稳定，也不能和平解决祖国统一问题。
But in view of the history of Hong Kong and Taiwan and of their present conditions, if there is no guaranteed that they will continue under the capitalist system, prosperity and stability cannot be maintained, and peaceful reunification of the motherland will be out of the question.
因此，我们在香港问题上，首先提出要保证其现行的资本主义制度和生活方式，在一九九七年后五十年不变。
Therefore, with regard to Hong Kong, we propose first of all to guarantee that the current capitalist system and way of life will remain unchanged for 50 years after 1997.
坦率地说，在香港问题上，我们非常关注十三年过渡时期，只要过渡时期安排好了，我们并不担心一九九七年后的事情。
To be frank, we shall be paying close attention to developments during the remaining thirteen years of the transition period in Hong Kong.
So long as we make proper arrangements for this period, we are not worried about what will happen after 1997.
我们希望香港在过渡时期内，不要出现以下几种情况。
But we hope that certain things will not occur in Hong Kong during the transition.
第一，希望不要出现动摇港币地位的情况。
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We hope that the position of the Hong Kong dollar will not be shaken.
港币发行量究竟多少？
Exactly how many Hong Kong dollars should be issued?At present the currency has good credit, because it is backed by substantial reserves, reserves that exceed the amount of notes issued.
This state of affairs must not change.
港币信誉好是因为储备金雄厚，多于发行量，不能改变这种状态。
Exactly how many Hong Kong dollars should be issued?At present the currency has good credit, because it is backed by substantial reserves, reserves that exceed the amount of notes issued.
This state of affairs must not change.
第二，我们同意可以批出一九九七年后五十年内的土地契约，而且同意港英政府可以动用这种卖地收入，但希望用于香港的基本建设和土地开发，而不是用作行政开支。
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We agree that leases of land will be valid for fifty years after 1997 and that the British Hong Kong Government may use the income from the sale of land.
But we hope it will use that income for capital construction and the development of land, not for administrative expenses.
第三，希望港英政府不要随意增加人员和薪金、退休金金额，那将会增加将来特别行政区政府的负担。
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We hope that the British Hong Kong Government will not increase the number of personnel and the amount of their pay and pensions without consultation, putting a heavy burden on the future government of the special administrative region.
第四，希望港英政府不要在过渡时期中自搞一套班子，将来强加于香港特别行政区政府。
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We hope that during the transition period the British Hong Kong Government will not, without consultation, organize a group of administrators to be imposed on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
第五，希望港英政府劝说有关方面的人不要让英资带头转走资金。
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We hope that the British Hong Kong Government will persuade people in the relevant departments not to let British capital take the lead in withdrawing from Hong Kong.
我们希望过渡时期不出现问题，但必须准备可能会出现一些不以我们意志为转移的问题。
We hope no problems will crop up during the transition period, but we must be prepared for any that may arise despite our wishes.
今后中英两国要更好地合作。
From now on the British and Chinese governments need to cooperate more closely.
现在中英两国政府关于香港问题的会谈基本上达成一致了。
The two governments have reached a basic agreement in their talks on the Hong Kong question.
我很有信心，“一个国家，两种制度”是能够行得通的。
I am confident that the ``one country, two systems'' formula will work.
这件事情会在国际上引起很好的反应，而且为世界各国提供国家间解决历史遗留问题的一个范例。
This will produce a favourable reaction internationally and will serve as an example for other nations in settling the disputes history has bequeathed to them.
我们提出“一个国家，两种制度”的构想，也考虑到解决国际争端应该采取什么办法。
When we developed the concept of ``one country, two systems'', we also considered what methods could be used to resolve international disputes.
因为世界上这里那里有很多疙瘩，很难解开。
There are so many issues all over the globe that are tangled in knots and very difficult to solve.
我认为有些国际争端用这种办法解决是可能的。
It is possible, I think, that some of them might be disentangled by this method.
过去，好多争端爆发了，引起武力冲突。
In the past, many have flared up and led to armed conflicts.
假如能够采取合情合理的办法，就可以消除爆发点，稳定国际局势。
If fair and reasonable measures are taken, they will help eliminate flash points and stabilize the world situation.