Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday called on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to embrace reform and navigate the significant internal and external changes for better development.

Xia, also director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with a delegation of Hong Kong officials, led by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.

Xia highlighted the significance of the decisions made at the recently concluded third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. These decisions, which focus on deepening comprehensive reforms, are of great and far-reaching importance for advancing the country’s modernization drive and the great rejuvenation of the nation, he said.

Xia expressed his hope that the Hong Kong SAR government and all sectors of society will fully understand and implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session. He encouraged the SAR to proactively accelerate its advancement from stability to prosperity by seizing opportunities and committing to reform.

“Reform and opening-up have been crucial to the cause of the Party and the people to catch up with the times. With Hong Kong facing profound changes both at home and abroad, it is imperative to recognize, respond to, and seek changes and achieve better development through reform,” Xia said.

He further advised that Hong Kong work steadily to enact the spirit of the third plenary session, execute plans step by step, and constantly enhance Hong Kong’s “golden” reputation.

The resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, which was adopted at the plenary session, highlighted the role Hong Kong and Macao can play in driving the country’s high-quality development as well as reform and opening-up.

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Xia reaffirmed the central government’s steadfast commitment to the “one country, two systems” principle and its full support for Hong Kong in giving full play to its unique position and advantages.

Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade center will be consolidated and enhanced. The central government will support Hong Kong’s building into an international hub for high-caliber talent, and encourage cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Xia said.

The meeting was also attended by Zhou Ji, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office; Xiang Bin, member of the office leadership; Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu; and Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Eddie Yue Wai-man.

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Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, met with the Hong Kong delegation on Tuesday. They discussed a range of topics that aim to promote the economic and financial situation of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, financial cooperation within the Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong’s development as an internationalfinancial center.