Financial services minister Christopher Hui on Monday said top Beijing official Xia Baolong highly values Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre.

Xia, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, is in the SAR for an inspection visit and has been meeting representatives of the financial sector.

Speaking after meeting Xia, Hui said the mainland official encouraged the sector to tell good stories about Hong Kong, adding that the talks focused on three areas.

"Number one is about our traditional core areas in terms of stock market. And the other area will be about our connectivity of the mainland, in particular the various Connect programmes," Hui said.

"And the third aspect is regarding new finance areas like green and sustainability finance, and also at the same time fintech."

Asked whether there were discussions on proposed Basic Law Article 23 national security legislation, Hui said the sector thinks the legislation will help build a stable and predictable environment in Hong Kong.