A Beijing official said on Tuesday now is the best time for Hong Kong to go all in on economic growth, urging the SAR to seize opportunities presented by the country's modernisation and align with its 15th Five-Year Plan.

The comments were made by Zhu Weidong, a deputy director at both the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission and the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, during a seminar about the spirit of the Fourth Plenary session.

The seminar was attended by Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, as well as representatives from the business sector and various professional bodies.

Zhu said the central government would give Hong Kong stronger and broader policy support.

“The SAR can play a more vital role as a bridge and window connecting the mainland with the rest of the world," he said.

"It can integrate more effectively into the country’s overall development and foster new drivers and advantages for economic growth, moving towards a brighter future."

The Fourth Plenary session of the Communist Party Central Committee – held last month – approved recommendations for the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

Another Beijing official who was invited to speak at the event in Hong Kong was Hou Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.