The director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, Zhou Ji, on Wednesday said the central government will continue to support the SAR in integrating into and serving the overall national development.

Speaking at a reception organised by the office to celebrate the Spring Festival, Zhou said this was one of the major points raised by President Xi Jinping.

Zhou stressed that President Xi has always cared about Hong Kong’s development and the well-being of citizens.

By aligning its strategies with the national growth blueprints, Zhou said Hong Kong is also poised to achieve better development itself.

Zhou said he believes the SAR will be able to actively participate in the country's 15th-Five-Year Plan and adapt to local conditions to cultivate new productive forces despite challenges.

“Better be a reformer tackling challenges rather than a stagnant observer remaining in a comfort zone,” he said.

“The dividends of development, the effectiveness of governance and the guarantee of safety will ultimately translate into the common well-being of all Hong Kong citizens.”

The director also said he believes Hong Kong will be able to uphold and improve its executive-led governance model.

“The new Legislative Council will support the SAR government without missing its duties, and watch over the government without overstepping its bounds,” he said.

“Through this constructive interaction between the executive and legislative branches, the city can enhance the efficacy of governance in accordance with the law.”

Echoing Zhou’s remarks, Chief Executive John Lee said that the SAR government is committed to aligning its strategies with the national development.

“As this year marks the start of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, I will lead the entire SAR government – including all bureaus and departments – to proactively align with the Five-Year-Plan’s framework,” he said.

“For the first time, we will formulate Hong Kong's own five-year plan. The government will strengthen its sense of accountability, fulfil its role as the primary party responsible, and actively lead all sectors of society to integrate with the 15th Five-Year Plan.”

Lee added that the SAR will continue to leverage its advantages under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework to grasp both national and international opportunities.