Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang meets Hong Kong's Chief Executive Donald Tsang at Mr Li's hotel in Hong Kong, August 16, 2011.[Edmond Tang/China Daily]

HONG KONG - Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, who is on a 3-day visit to this Special Administrative Region, met Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang on Tuesday afternoon and listened to Tsang's report over the city's recent situation and work of the SAR government.

Li said the central government has shown care and support to Hong Kong all the time. Since Hong Kong's handover to the motherland in 1997, the basic principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and high degree of autonomy as well as the Hong Kong Basic Law have been thoroughly implemented, and Hong Kong has maintained its position as global centers for finance, trade and shipping. Hong Kong remains prosperous and stable, and its overall situation is good.

The practice of the concept "one country, two systems", initiated by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, is successful in Hong Kong, which is well-recognized by the international community, Li said.

The Vice-Premier expressed hope that the current HKSAR government, led by Tsang, would continue keeping good spirit and doing good job in all aspects.

Li said the HKSAR government needed to direct the overall situation, and worked hard to defuse or reduce negative elements, and pulled out all stops to safeguard Hong Kong's overall economic and social stability.

It should spare no effort to solve problems in relation to the economy and people's livelihood that were concerns to Hong Kong people. It should be proactive in helping residents, especially those with low incomes, to overcome anxiety and difficulties and relieve their living pressure, he said.

Li said the central government, when outlining the 12th Five- Year Program (2011-2015) for National Economic and Social Development, which was unveiled in March this year, took advice from the HKSAR government, and gave a dedicated chapter on how to support development of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

This doesn't only mean support for Hong Kong, but it is also imperative for the entire nation which aims to achieve greater development, he said.

Relevant central governmental departments are working on specific sub-plans and enriching policies in details. Regarding Hong Kong, central governmental departments have worked out details of policies and measures to further support the city's development and enhance cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, Li said.

And these policies and measures will be unveiled by the Vice-Premier on Wednesday at a forum on the 12th Five-Year Program ( 2011-2015) and financial and trade cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong.

"Although changes of internal and external environments have brought about some difficulties and challenges to Hong Kong, yet I firmly believe, with strong support from the central government and the mainland and concerted efforts by the SAR government and all the circles of the Hong Kong society, we will be capable of building and developing a better Hong Kong. I am fully confident of Hong Kong's future," Li added.  

Li arrived in Hong Kong earlier in the day.