Public media in Hong Kong on Monday gave extensive coverage on the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that opened Monday in Beijing, saying the conference is crucial to the country's future development.

"The 17th CPC National Congress will have a significant and far- reaching impact on the country's future as the meeting is expected to map out major policies and principles for the country's future development," said Hong Kong Commercial Daily in a commentary.

"It is quite natural that the congress has become a focus of attention in Hong Kong society," it said, noting that Hong Kong has benefited much from the motherland's rapid growth.

Through the window of the CPC congress, Hong Kong people can have a clearer view of the blueprint of the country's future development, which will further boost their confidence in Hong Kong's future, the commentary said.

Since Hong Kong returned to the motherland a decade ago, the motherland has always provided "a strong helping hand in a timely manner" whenever Hong Kong encountered difficulties, said an editorial carried by Ta Kung Pao newspaper.

"More and more people in Hong Kong are proud of their strong motherland, and they also know the future of the motherland is closely associated with their own," it said.

China has entered a crucial stage of development, facing both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, said Wen Wei Po newspaper in its editorial.

"The 17th Party congress will be an important milestone in the process of rejuvenating the Chinese nation, as it will chart a clearer goal and direction for the country's development," its said.

The CPC congress is set to elect the Party's 17th Central Committee that will decide CPC's new leadership lineup for the coming few years, elect a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and approve an amendment to the Party Constitution.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)