Full coverage: Top Chinese legislator attends Belt and Road Summit

The chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress - Zhang Dejiang - is in Hong Kong for a high level forum on the One Belt One Road initiative. Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that the forum demonstrates the central government's support for Hong Kong.

"The forum demonstrates the central government's support for Hong Kong to take part in China's new development strategy. The central government pays a lot of attention to this forum, because it means a lot to be held in Hong Kong. The One Belt One Road is initiated by China to promote global cooperation in development. It is central in the government's provision of a more open economy. Hong Kong can play a unique role in this initiative. On the other hand, Hong Kong could insert itself with its advantages into the country's strategy. The city can be a more important part in China's economic development and opening up to the world," said Shen Danyang, spokesman of ministry of commerce.

Shen also discussed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. Shen said that products made in Hong Kong and exported to the Chinese mainland have enjoyed zero tariffs since 2006. That has saved as much as 5.4 billion yuan for Hong Kong producers.