Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday said more measures are on the way to make life easier for non-Chinese people in Hong Kong.

His comment came days after Beijing's move to allow non-Chinese permanent residents of the SAR to apply for a five-year mainland travel permit.

Speaking at the China Conference, hosted by the South China Morning Post, Lee hailed the new arrangement as a groundbreaking policy development.

"It is actually a big policy breakthrough. The first step I have done to create convenience for non-Chinese friends in Hong Kong is that for any staff of a company set up in Hong Kong, there has been a fast-track procedure for them to apply for a visa to visit mainland China," he said.

"So that is step one, and now we have step two, and there will be more steps coming. I hope I will deliver more to you in due course."

Lee also said the measures underline Hong Kong's unique advantages under the One Country, Two Systems principle, attracting companies and professionals to the city.

He added that Hong Kong will continue to strengthen its competitiveness and role as a gateway between the mainland and global markets.