China's top legislature pledged to introduce more policies and measures that benefit Hong Kong, enabling the city to give full play to its unique advantages and align its strength with the needs of the country, a legislature spokesperson said on Wednesday.

A day ahead of the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 14th NPC, said the central government will make further arrangements in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in leveraging its unique advantages and important role.

"In the great transformation of the Chinese people and nation, from standing up to getting rich and then to becoming strong, Hong Kong compatriots have never been absent," Lou said.

He cited President Xi Jinping's New Year address, in which Xi stressed that the central government should unswervingly implement the policy of "one country, two systems," and support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into the overall development of the country and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.

The recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan adopted in October called for consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade center; supporting it in developing into an international innovation and technology center; and promoting Hong Kong and Macao as international hubs for high-caliber talent.

In the past year, with the strong support of the central government, the HKSAR government has led Hong Kong society in vigorously promoting economic development, Lou said.

"Hong Kong's status as an international financial center is even more solid," Lou said. Hong Kong ranks third in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, while initial public offering fundraising rose about 200 percent year-on-year, leading global markets.

Lou said, "Hong Kong's business environment is open and efficient." The city ranked first worldwide in economic freedom and had returned to the top three in global competitiveness rankings.

Hong Kong is also home to the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation, while the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law have also announced their intention to set up offices in the city.

"Innovation and science have become new engines for Hong Kong's economic development," the spokesperson added. The number of companies in Hong Kong with overseas or Chinese mainland parent firms had surpassed 10,000, a record high.

Hong Kong is increasingly attractive to high-caliber talent, Lou said, noting that its position in the World Talent Ranking has soared to fourth globally and first in Asia.

With the backing of the motherland and being connected with the world, Lou said he believes Hong Kong will give full play to this unique advantage and align its strength with the needs of the country, so as to achieve better development as it integrates into and support the overall development of the country.

The fourth session of the 14th NPC is set to begin on Thursday morning and conclude on March 12. Hong Kong and Macao are represented in the top legislature by 36 and 12 deputies, respectively.

Contact the writer at irisli@chinadailyhk.com