Hong Kong and Macau will always have the central government's backing in terms of developing the economy and improving people's livelihood, a senior official in charge of the SARs' affairs pledged on Wednesday.

Wang Linggui, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, made the comments on the sidelines of the Two Sessions in Beijing.

Asked by RTHK if more support measures were in store for Hong Kong, Wang pointed to the city's booming stock market.

He said if investors were confident about Hong Kong, then the stock market would do well.

On a separate note, Hongkongers were told by a former Beijing official to cherish their city and build it into a better place.

Tan Tieniu, who was deputy director of Beijing's liaison office between 2016 and 2022, said Hong Kong had special meaning for him.

He said the city is a "very good" place and has a key role to play in the country's overall development, and urged everyone to "steadfastly and successfully" implement "One Country, Two Systems".