The eight steps announced by President Xi Jinping to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have brought new opportunities for Hong Kong, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said on Monday.

Chan also told the second Belt and Road Youth Development Summit in Hong Kong that the territory – as one of the world's free economies – will help promote signature projects, as well as "small yet smart" livelihood developments.

"Hong Kong's leading financial and professional services sectors, including investment, finance, insurance, construction, engineering, design, accounting, legal and counsel services, will continue to participate actively in different projects, and to put into full play our roles as a 'super-connector' and a 'super value-adder'," Chan said.

He said the SAR administration is working to boost Hong Kong's status in international trade, and in legal and dispute resolution services.

Chan added that Hong Kong will continue to implement its youth development blueprint, with one of the priorities having young people take part in exchanges on the mainland and overseas.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Commissioner in Hong Kong Fang Jianming told the same event that the central government fully supports the SAR in contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Fang said young people in Hong Kong, who are familiar with both the Chinese and Western cultures, can actively participate in youth cooperation under the country's initiative.