Beijing's top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs has directed SAR officials to better integrate the city into the country's development in areas such as finance, the acting chief executive said on Tuesday.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, earlier made an inspection trip to Shenzhen, during which he was briefed on plans to boost Hong Kong's economy.

Acting Chief Executive Eric Chan, who was there with the top mainland official, said it was a "very good occasion" to communicate and understand the central government's thoughts on the territory.

"Director Xia is very, very concerned about Hong Kong. He highly recognised the work of the Hong Kong SAR government under the leadership of the chief executive," Chan told reporters ahead of the Executive Council meeting.

"He also directed that we should try our very best to integrate into the mainland's national policies, especially the Greater Bay Area initiative. This is very important to Hong Kong."

Chan also said authorities would work with their Guangdong counterparts to make good use of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Asked if Xia had mentioned ways to tackle a budget deficit such as cutting or freezing civil servants' pay, Chan said there is a mechanism to adjust the salaries of public workers every year.

A host of factors would be considered before the Executive Council decides whether to approve an adjustment proposal, he noted.