Premier Li Keqiang met with Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), in Beijing on Dec 15, and heard a report on the current development of Hong Kong and the work of the local government.

Speaking highly of Lam’s work, Premier Li said that the new HKSAR government had fulfilled its commitment in connecting with national development strategies, solving livelihood issues, and maintaining the growth momentum of the region.

The central government will stick to the policies of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, and will fully support the administration of HKSAR government and the chief executive on the basis of the Constitution as well as the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the Premier said.

The Premier also encouraged the Hong Kong government to combine national needs and Hong Kong’s advantages to cultivate new industries, enhancing sustainability of the development.

Meanwhile, he said, Hong Kong should focus its efforts on livelihood issues, to spread the development benefits to all Hong Kong residents, adding that Hong Kong should also play an active role in the Belt and Road Initiative, forging Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area into one of the best bay areas in the world.

Hong Kong has long been an international finance, shipping and trade center, and this advantage should be further exerted in China’s development and opening-up, he said.

The Premier also said the success of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Hong Kong Bond Connect should be drawn on for mutual development of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong’s achievement benefits from the nation’s strength and the central government’s support,” said Lam. “In the future, more efforts will be made to integrate Hong Kong into the big picture of national development.”

“We will strive to bring economic achievements to more Hong Kong citizens and continue to boost growth,” she added.

State Councilors Yang Jing and Yang Jiechi also attended the meeting.