Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with people upon his arrival in Hong Kong, south China, June 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Firm commitment

The Chinese president has more than once stressed the central government's commitment to the "one country, two systems" principle during his first day in Hong Kong.

On Thursday afternoon, Xi, accompanied by outgoing HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, met with senior figures of the SAR's executive, legislative and judicial bodies.

During the meeting, Xi said the practice of "one country, two systems" has been very successful in Hong Kong.

The concept has led to Hong Kong's peaceful return to China, a rare case in Chinese and foreign histories, where lost lands were mostly recovered by force, he said.

After its return in 1997, the special administrative region system provided for by China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR took root in Hong Kong.

The region has managed to retain prosperity and stability, despite the severe impacts of the Asian financial crisis, the SARS outbreak, and the global financial crisis, Xi said.

"Our practice has fully proven that 'one country, two systems' is absolutely correct and is pulsing with life," the president said.

In a separate meeting with Leung, Xi said the central government fully acknowledged his work during his five-year term of office.

With the strong support of the central government, Leung had led the HKSAR government to earnestly implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and the HKSAR Basic Law, and made arduous efforts to solve deep-rooted problems accumulated over the years in Hong Kong and expand the HKSAR's space for future development, Xi said.

Leung and the HKSAR government have staunchly safeguarded national sovereignty, security, development interests, and social stability, making positive contributions to the undertaking of the "one country, two systems," he said.

"The central government fully trusts you and fully acknowledges your work," Xi told Leung.