China's central government will continue to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in maintaining its status as a free port and a separate customs territory, said Huang Liuquan, deputy head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, on Tuesday. 

Noting the "One Country, Two Systems" policy will not change, Huang told a forum on the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national socioeconomic development that the central government supports Hong Kong to reinforce and improve its competitive advantages and protect the legitimate interests of investors in the city.  

Huang is in a visiting central government delegation to brief various sectors in Hong Kong on the opportunities from the 14th Five-Year Plan. 

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China's reform and opening-up will not change and the HKSAR has an irreplaceable role to play in the process, Huang said. 

Huang also emphasized the support for the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

Hong Kong and mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area will be complementary to each other in aspects from finance and technological innovation to high-end services, Huang said, adding that their cooperation will bring fresh impetus to the area and lead to common development. 

(With input from Xinhua)