The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged on Tuesday to support Hong Kong and Macao in growing their economies, improving the lives of their people and participating in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Are by leveraging their distinctive strengths and features.

Li made the pledges while he was delivering a report on behalf of the State Council at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing.

This will ensure that Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions can better integrate themselves into China’s overall development and maintain long-term prosperity and stability, Li said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a government work report at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

“We will continue to fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of 'one country, two systems', under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao and ensure that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots,” Li told a roomful of national legislators. 

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The premier also mentioned that the country will support the GBA in playing its role as one of the drivers of high-quality development.

China will continue to implement the principle that the two SARs are governed by patriots, according to the government work report.