今日卸任離港的美國駐港澳總領事唐偉康（Kurt Tong）7月2日（周二）在慶祝美國獨立日酒會上致辭時強調，美國熱愛香港，相信香港在「一國兩制」下會有正確的思想和價值觀，社會能夠繼續繁榮昌盛。以下為唐偉康致辭的主要內容：
正如（美國）國務院發言人昨晚（7月1日）在回應（香港）立法會遭到衝擊和破壞的事件時所說：「美國敦促各方不要採取暴力行動。香港的成功取決於對法治和基本自由的尊重，包括言論自由和和平集會的自由。」
女士們，先生們，我知道餐桌上的食物很吸引，但在我們真正讓這個派對變得有趣之前，我是還想就今天慶祝活動的意義說幾句話。
作為外交官的其中一種樂趣，就是出席這種酒會，聆聽各國歷史和文化中值得驕傲之處。
我作為一名代表美利堅合眾國的外交官，今晚站在各位面前，感到格外自豪。
一個國家有很多理由感到自豪──她的人民、她的文化，以及她的成就。
在美國，我們有幸擁有一個集中了全球有才華且友好的公民組成的多元化社會。我鼓勵大家不時到美國走走，進行深度旅遊。你會發現美國是一個具備慷慨精神的國家，隨時準備與朋友分享我們的恩寵。
美國憲法經過27次修正
除此之外，還有令美國人感到自豪的地方──我們的民主制度。
正如各位剛才在錄影片段所看到的那樣，今晚的主題之一，是慶祝1789年《美利堅合眾國憲法》生效230周年，這一承諾的核心，是創造並維持美國作為一個國家的凝聚力。
現場很多人可能已經注意到，今年既是美國《獨立宣言》發表243周年，同時也是美國憲法誕生230周年，這中間的差距究竟是為了什麼呢？
事實上，這個過程花了相當長的時間，首先要決定擬就一本憲法──在當時，那可是一個創新的想法──然後要就其內容達成共識。例如有關各州的權利和稅務問題，就引起大量爭論。另外，如何在立法機關、總統和司法機構之間建立起最適當的權力平衡，也莫衷一是。
然而，他們（美國立國的先賢）做到了，其餘的都己是歷史，對吧？
慢着，才沒有這麼快。
就算有了憲法，我們這個新國家也走過一段坎坷的道路。
我們辛辛苦苦克服了種族屠殺和奴隸制的罪惡，在這個過程中打過殘酷的內戰。即使經過那場戰爭，我們還是要排除萬難，實現社會正義與和諧，然而大部分的努力，到了今天仍然未竟全功。
幸而，由始至終，我們都遵循了這份重要文件，即憲法的指引，始終明智地將治國的權力掌握在人民手中。
憲法不僅闡述了政府的宗旨和職責，也勾劃了人民的多種權利和自由，包括選擇自己領導人的權利。
但我認為，關於美國憲法，最好的是它能夠──並且已經──得到改善。到目前為止，憲法已經修正了27次！每次修正都會使它變得更好──通過增加賦權，以及澄清和限制某些權力，同時增加其他權力。
歷經曲折才能鑄就更完善社會
我要帶着樂觀的心情告訴大家，我即將告別香港。
今天較早時，我應邀到亞洲協會，就美國與香港關係的過去，現在和未來發表了長篇而詳細的講話。
講話的一個主要觀點，是闡釋美國是熱愛香港的，並重申箇中原因。我所說的，你可能之前都已聽過。
但講話的另一要點，是說明我為何對香港的未來樂觀和充滿信心。
毫無疑問，過去的幾個月，對香港來說是艱難的日子──錯誤已經造成，衝突發生了！
但正是這樣的磨難，才令我感到樂觀。
想一想美國的歷史和我們的憲法。我們犯了錯誤，民眾與政府衝突，然而立意是良好的。「我們的人民，為了建立更完善的聯盟……」（美國憲法序言）
承諾是成功的關鍵因素
女士們，先生們：思想很重要，價值觀也很重要。我相信香港在「一國兩制」下有正確的思想和價值觀，以至正確的基本社會結構，從而取得繁榮與成功。
成功的另一個關鍵因素，自然是承諾。我在這個大廳，以至全香港都看到很多。我們在美國擁有它，你們在這裏也擁有它。
因此，我想告訴大家，我太太Mika和我，將在本周末離開香港和澳門，回到美國。雖然我們很高興能回到我們的孩子身邊，但我們都非常捨不得離開你們。
Mika和我珍惜我們在香港和澳門的日子，我們也會珍惜我們在這裏建立的友誼。
我們盼望能夠不時回到這座了不起的城市，但現在我要離開了，臨別請讓我向你們敬酒。
為美利堅合眾國人民，香港市民，以及我們持久的友誼乾杯！
唐偉康講話全文（英文）
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure to welcome you tonight to celebrate America’s birthday!
I particularly want to thank Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung for joining us today as Guest of Honor. It is indeed an honor to have you here, Mr. Secretary. I have enjoyed working with you over these past three years, and I have been always impressed by your dedication to this city. Thank you so much for your friendship.
We are also honored tonight by the presence of other officials from the Hong Kong Government and from the Central People’s Government. Thank you so much for joining. I also want to introduce you all to Mr. Paul Horowitz, our new Deputy Consul General, who joins us tonight along with his lovely wife Sandy.
I would also like to express sincere appreciation to our many corporate sponsors whose generosity helped make tonight’s event possible. Many of them are sporting sponsor badges on their lapels this evening. I would also ask that all our guests take time to review the names of our supporters listed on our Wall of Honor. My profound thanks to every one of you.
And finally, a big thank you to the staff at the Ocean Park Marriott for making such fine arrangements. I think you will agree the room looks spectacular. Lots of credit also goes to my own hardworking staff, our security team, and also to our friends and protectors in the Hong Kong Police Force for helping to make it all come together.
Now, given the events of yesterday, it is important for me to make one thing clear at the start of this speech.
As the State Department spokesperson said last night in response to scenes of violence and vandalism at the Legislative Council: “The United States urges all sides to refrain from violence. Hong Kong’s success is predicated on the respect for the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms, including its freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.”
And Ladies and gentlemen: I know the food tables are inviting, but before we really get this party rocking, I also want to say just a few words about the meaning of our celebration today.
One joy of being a diplomat is you to get to attend these receptions and hear the pride each nation takes in its history and culture.
I stand before you as a diplomat who is exceptionally proud to represent the United States of America.
There are many reasons for a nation to be proud – its people … its culture … its achievements.
In the United States, we are blessed to have a particularly diverse and talented and friendly collection of global citizens. I encourage you all to visit the United States – often – and travel far and wide. You will find that America is a country that is generous in spirit, and ready to share our bounty with friends.
There is another thing that makes Americans proud: our system of democracy.
As you saw in the video, tonight’s theme is the 230th anniversary of the 1789 entry into force of the core set of promises that creates and sustains America’s cohesion as a nation: the Constitution of the United States of America.
Now, many of you may have noticed the gap between this year being the 243rd anniversary of our Declaration of Independence and the 230th birthday of the Constitution. So what’s up with that?
Well, the fact is that it took a rather long time, first just to decide to even have a Constitution – it was an innovative idea at the time – and then to agree on what it should say. There were massive arguments about States’ rights and taxation, and about how best to set up a proper balance of power between the legislature, the President and the judiciary.
But they did it. And so the rest is history! Right?
Well, not so fast.
Even with a Constitution, our new nation traveled a rocky road.
We struggled to overcome our sins of genocide and slavery, fighting a brutal Civil War in the process. Even after that war we struggled to achieve social justice and harmony. And much of that effort remains incomplete even today.
Throughout it all, however, we were guided by this one remarkable document, our Constitution, which ever so wisely put the power of governance into the hands of the people.
The Constitution does much more than just describe the purposes and duties of the government. It outlines the many rights and freedoms of the people, including the right to choose their own leaders.
The very best thing about the U.S. Constitution, however, in my opinion, is that it can be – and has been – improved. It has been amended 27 times so far! Each change made it better – by expanding rights, and clarifying and limiting some powers, while enhancing others.
It is on that optimistic note that I would like to say farewell to Hong Kong.
Earlier today, I gave a long and detailed speech at the Asia Society about the past, present and future of America’s relationship with Hong Kong.
One main point of the speech was to explain that the United States loves Hong Kong, and to reiterate why. You may have heard me say all that before.
But the other main point was to state why I am optimistic and confident about Hong Kong’s future.
Clearly the past several months have been a tough time for Hong Kong. Mistakes have been made. There has been conflict.
But it is that struggle that makes me optimistic.
Think about the history of America, and our Constitution. Mistakes were made. There was conflict. But the intentions were good. “We the People, in Order to form a more perfect Union…”
Ladies and gentlemen: Ideas matter, and so do values. I believe that Hong Kong has the right ideas, and values, and even the right basic structure in “one country, two systems,” to succeed and prosper as a society.
The other crucial ingredient for success, of course, is commitment. And I see a lot of that, both inside this room and throughout the city. We have that in America, and you have it here.
So, on that note, Mika and I will depart Hong Kong and Macau at the end of this week, to move back to the United States. While we are happy to be moving closer to our children, we are very sad to be leaving all you fine people behind.
Mika and I have cherished our time in Hong Kong and Macau, and we will also continue to cherish the many friendships we have made.
We look forward to returning regularly to this terrific city, but for now I leave you all with a simple salute.
Chief Secretary Cheung, if you would not mind joining me for a toast…
To the People of the United States of America, to the People of Hong Kong, and to our enduring friendship!
資料來源：美國駐港澳總領事館網站
本系列文章：
張灼祥
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何民傑
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