Jia Qinglin, visiting chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said on Tuesday that the Chinese central government will continue to support the consolidation of Hong Kong's status as an international financial center.

Accompanied by Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Jia Qinglin visited the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Tuesday morning.

Jia said the central government has been attaching great importance to and supporting the financial development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as well as strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international financial center, adding the central government has been taking a series of measures in this regard.

Jia pledged that the central government will actively take measures that would be favorable for the development of Hong Kong's financial industry, the consolidation of Hong Kong's status as an international financial center and the cooperation between the financial circles of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

He said after years of efforts, Hong Kong's financial sector has possessed many unique advantages that could not be replaced by other places. Hong Kong could achieve better development and play a more important role in the national development, so long as Hong Kong cashes in on the opportunities and creates more advantages in the backdrop of the mainland's rapid economic growth.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jia also visited the newly opened Hong Kong Wetland Park and chatted with Hong Kong primary and middle school students there.

He said the opening of the ecological park by the HKSAR government has provided students with a place to have better understanding of nature and environmental protection knowledge.

He expected Hong Kong students to learn more about Hong Kong, about the great motherland's long history and splendid culture, in a bid to become talents both useful to Hong Kong and the whole nation.

During his visit to the apartment of middle school English teacher Ng Yuenfan, Jia said Hong Kong's economic recovery has been on a fast track and that economic achievements have already benefited more and more Hong Kong residents.

He then called on Hong Kong residents to support the HKSAR government to govern by law, help maintain the good situation that has not come easily and jointly build a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong.

Jia arrived in Hong Kong Tuesday morning for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to attend activities marking the third anniversary of the signing of the Chinese mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2006)