Senior state leader Zhao Leji met a delegation of Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on Tuesday, encouraging them to contribute to the SAR's long-term prosperity and integration into the nation's development.

In a virtual media briefing, NPC deputy Ma Fung-kwok, who led the Hong Kong delegation, quoted Zhao as saying the SAR has moved from stability to prosperity after facing important turning points in the past few years.

Zhao, who's a Politburo Standing Committee member and the country's third-highest ranking official, also called on delegates to make the best use of Hong Kong's unique advantages under the One Country, Two Systems principle.

He outlined his expectations for Hong Kong: first, to fully implement One Country, Two Systems and resolve issues relating to development; second, to contribute to the country's development; and third, to achieve unity and solidarity.

Ma said he and five other Hong Kong NPC members – Brave Chan, Starry Lee, Nancy Ip, Stanley Ng and Kenneth Fok – all made speeches in the meeting.

DAB chairwoman Starry Lee, who spoke about patriots governing Hong Kong, said she felt motivated by Zhao's speech.

"The leader delivered a very clear message that the central government supports the implementation of One Country, Two Systems. He encouraged most of us to make use of this golden opportunity to develop our economy, and also work harder for a better Hong Kong," she said.

Another NPC deputy, Priscilla Leung, said Zhao's speech demonstrated Beijing's emphasis on the SAR's rule of law.

"He talked about (how) we have to firmly adhere to One Country, Two Systems, and protect our sovereignty and national security, as well as to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity, and that actually relates to a firm adherence to the rule of law," she said.

Finance sector lawmaker and NPC deputy Ronick Chan, meanwhile, said Hong Kong should utilise financial technology and leverage its status as an international financial centre.

"We should have more innovation on our product shelves. For example, we have just issued tokenised green bonds, which is the first of its kind in the world. We have to continue to launch similar products, so that we can capture first-mover advantage," he said.

The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, and the director of the liaison office, Zheng Yanxiong, also attended the one-hour meeting.