China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang has highlighted the economic and social development in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (SAR) during his three-day inspection tour.
Zhang, who concluded the tour on Thursday, said the central government has paid high attention to Hong Kong's economic and social development as well as improvement of people's livelihood.
"I hope that the SAR government and Hong Kong society will concentrate on economic development, people's livelihood and competitiveness, achieve further development by seizing opportunities brought by our country's development, and make due contribution to and play a unique role in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
The top legislator's plane arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday noon, where he was greeted by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and the SAR's principle officials.
In a speech delivered at the airport, Zhang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed kind regards from President Xi Jinping and the central government to Hong Kong people.
Zhang inspected the Government Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon and was briefed by Leung and the principle officials of the SAR government. He also toured the Development Bureau which is in charge of land use planning, urban renewal, public works and heritage conservation and communicated with the department chiefs and young officials of the bureau.
Zhang said, since its establishment, the present SAR government has earnestly implemented the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, as well as the Basic Law.
The SAR government has put forward the policy idea of "appropriately proactive approach" and has also strived to develop Hong Kong's economy and improve people's livelihood with initial success on multiple fronts, he said, noting the central government is satisfied with the work of the SAR government.
He hoped that all the civil servants would make unremitting efforts to provide better service for Hong Kong residents and make more contrition to the country. The top legislator also encouraged young civil servants to firmly establish the people-oriented concept and improve the level of expertise, to bear in mind the overall situation and build teamwork spirit, and to improve communication skills with local residents.
"You must have the national consciousness and know more about the country's system and overall development, safeguard our national interest consciously and better perform your duties," he said.
During the inspection tour, the top legislator met leaders of central government agencies in Hong Kong and Chinese-funded organizations as well as representatives of Hong Kong's administrative, legislative and judicial institutions.
He also met people from different walks of life and delivered a keynote speech at the welcome dinner. Noting that it had been nearly 19 years since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, Zhang said with strong support of the central government and the mainland, the SAR government and Hong Kong people worked hard and withstood various tests, making great contributions to the successful practice of the "one country, two systems" principle.
The "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law have won support from all Chinese people including more than 7 million Hong Kong compatriots and also won worldwide acclaim, he said.
"All are hard-won. We are proud of it and must cherish it," said the top legislator, adding that he hoped people from all walks of life in Hong Kong would keep in mind the original intention of "one country, two systems" and stay patient and confident.
The top legislator said that the central government will unswervingly implement the principles of "one country, two systems, " "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, and will unswervingly support the Hong Kong SAR government in administering the region according to the law, and conducting mutually beneficial cooperation with the mainland.
Zhang is deeply concerned about Hong Kong's innovation and technology development as well as people's livelihood improvement.
On Wednesday, the top legislator inspected the Hong Kong Science Park and heard briefings about the development of innovative science and technology in Hong Kong, as well as cooperation between the government, manufacturers, academic organizations and research bodies and efforts in cooperating with the mainland.
He encouraged the Hong Kong SAR government and the science sector to take Hong Kong's advantages and let innovative science and technology serve as a new engine for Hong Kong's economic development.
The top legislator paid a visit to Sheng Kung Hui Tseung Kwan O Aged Care Complex to see the elderly and presented gifts for the elderly care center on Thursday morning.
He also visited On Tat Estate, a newly-built public rental housing estate, and heard briefing on the SAR government's housing policy. "I sincerely hope that Hong Kong compatriots will live a better life." he said.
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