Chief Executive John Lee said on Monday that quarantine-free travel will resume very soon in a gradual, orderly and safe manner.

Writing in the Ta Kung Pao newspaper, he said authorities would take into consideration the Covid situation on both sides of the border, formulate plans and strike a good balance.

He said the re-opening of the border would boost Hong Kong's economy, adding that the new year would be a prosperous one.

"We will strike a balance between meeting people's demand for quarantine-free travel and keeping it orderly and safe," he wrote. "We will achieve target of full reopening of the border in a gradual and orderly manner as soon as possible to boost Hong Kong's economy."

Summing up his work visit to Beijing last week, the CE said the SAR goverment would focus on three priorities as the city is at a crucial stage of advancing to prosperity.

Firstly, he said Hong Kong must grasp the opportunities offered by the country and integrate into China's national development.

Secondly, he stressed that Hong Kong should make good use of the advantages of the One Country Two Systems principle.

Thirdly, he reiterated that the government would attract and nurture talent to ensure Hong Kong's continued competitiveness.