Premier Wen Jiabao said in his government work report Friday that China would deepen cooperation between the southern Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong and Macao regions.
The central government would support Hong Kong to consolidate and elevate its position as an international financial hub and foster new areas of economic growth, Wen said at the annual session of the National People's Congress, the top legislature.
Support would also be given to Macao for developing its tourism and leisure industry, he said, reaffirming that the government would unswervingly follow the principle of "one country, two systems," under which the people of Hong Kong and Macao administer their own regions with a high degree of autonomy.
"The great motherland will remain a staunch supporter of Hong Kong and Macao forever," he said.
Hong Kong and Macao returned to the motherland in 1997 and 1999, respectively.
All-around exchanges between the two regions and the inland have fledged since their returns, and the latest moves include the construction of a cross-sea bridge linking the three sides and allowing the University of Macao to build part of its campus on an island of Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
Wen urged to "vigorously promote" the construction of the bridge and the developing of the island.