New premier asserts Hong Kong's role in delivering first career speech

China's new premier Li Qiang said in his first press conference on Monday that the role of two special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, would be strengthened in the country's development.

Li, the 63-year-old former Communist Party leader of Shanghai, was confirmed as premier on Saturday.

Li said at the closing ceremony of "two sessions", China's top legislature and political advisory conference, that the central government has always attached great importance to giving full play of Hong Kong and Macau's unique advantages.

"Hong Kong's status, as the international financial centre, trade centre and shipping centre, will remain unchanged, as well as Macau being the world-renowned international tourism and leisure centre," he said.

"The two SARs have encountered various obstacles in the development process in recent years due to multiple factors, but these are temporary difficulties and will be overcome," Li added.

"We will ensure the 'one country, two systems' to guard that the status of the two SARs is only strengthened and not weakened," he noted.

When delivering his speech for kicking off the third term as China's president on the same day, Xi Jinping pledged to support the economic development and livelihood improvement of Hong Kong and Macau, calling for integrating the two cities into the country's development.