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Top legislator Zhang Dejiang has concluded a three-day inspection tour of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He says the central government has paid particular attention to the region’s economic and social development and improvement of living standards.

HONG KONG, May 19, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Dejiang (R front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with representatives from different walks of life at the headquarters of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong, south China, May 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

The chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress arrived at Hong Kong International Airport Tuesday. In a speech delivered at the airport, Zhang  conveyed kind regards from President Xi Jinping and the central government to the people of Hong Kong.

During his visit, Zhang said that since the establishment of the Special Administrative Region, the regional government has earnestly implemented the principles of “one country, two systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” with a high degree of autonomy, and adhered to the Basic Law.

He said the regional government has put forward the policy idea of an “appropriately proactive approach” and has also tried to develop Hong Kong’s economy and improve living standards with initial success on multiple fronts.

Zhang is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. He met leaders of central government agencies in Hong Kong and Chinese-funded organizations as well as representatives of Hong Kong’s administrative, legislative and judicial institutions. He also met people from different walks of life and delivered a keynote speech at a welcoming dinner.

Noting that it had been nearly 19 years since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, Zhang said that with strong support of the central government and the mainland, the SAR government and Hong Kong people had worked hard and withstood various tests, making great contributions to the successful practice of the “one country, two systems” principle.

He said the “one country, two systems” principle and the Basic Law have won support from all Chinese people including more than 7 million Hong Kong compatriots and also won worldwide acclaim.

He encouraged the Hong Kong government and the science sector to use Hong Kong’s advantages to make innovative science and technology serve as a new engine for Hong Kong’s economic development.

Zhang also visited a care center for the elderly and a newly-built public rental housing estate where he heard a briefing on the SAR government’s housing policy.