Premier Li Keqiang has called for efforts to facilitate the gradual resumption of normal personnel exchanges between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the mainland.

Premier Li made the remarks in a meeting with HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday during the latter's duty visit to Beijing.

With the orderly implementation of optimized COVID-19 prevention and control measures, Li said relevant authorities must step up communication and coordination to facilitate the gradual resumption of normal personnel exchanges between the HKSAR and the mainland.

Li said that since taking office as its sixth-term chief executive, Lee has led the HKSAR government in actively responding to public concerns, focusing on revitalizing the economy and exploring solutions to deep-seated economic and social problems.

He said the central government fully acknowledges the performance of Lee and the HKSAR government.

The central government will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, said Li.

It will also be ensured that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the region, the premier added. 

The central government will see that Hong Kong is administered by patriots, and give full support to the chief executive and the HKSAR government in their law-based administration, he said. 

Li said the future of Hong Kong is closely linked to that of the motherland, calling on the HKSAR government to unite people from all sectors of Hong Kong, to fully leverage the region's distinctive edges while integrating Hong Kong into the country's overall development.

The region should take advantage of the strong support from the motherland and its own close connection with the world market to expand its high-level opening-up, consolidate and improve its status as an international financial, trade and shipping center, and build an international center of innovation and technology.

Li also expressed his hope that the HKSAR government will continue its efforts to pursue economic growth and improve people's well-being, so as to deliver benefits to the Hong Kong people through development.

Lee expressed gratitude to the central government for its care and support for Hong Kong, and pledged efforts to leverage Hong Kong's strengths to meet the needs of the country and bring the region to a new development stage in the coming year.

(With input from Xinhua)