A senior official in charge of Hong Kong affairs reiterated yesterday the central government’s goal to advance democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

"We should advance democracy in accordance with the Basic Law, with the final goal of reaching universal suffrage," said Chen Zuo'er, vice-minister of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

"Democracy was first introduced into the Basic Law, and we are complying by it," he told reporters during the ongoing 17th Party Congress.

"We will pursue democracy in an orderly and progressive manner and ensure that it suits the situation in Hong Kong," Chen said.

According to Chen, Hu's report devoted an unusually large part to Hong Kong and Macao affairs.

Reflecting on the decade-long experience of implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, Chen said "it proved that the model is a complete success and has lasting vigor."

"During the past 10 years, in compliance with the Basic Law, the central government has ensured a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong people," Chen said.

"The central government has fully supported Hong Kong in promoting economic development, improving the well-being of the people and developing democracy and encouraging people from all walks of life to participate in the territory's affairs," Chen said.

Affirming the special position of the SAR as an international financial hub, the central government has also integrated Hong Kong’s development into its 11th Five-Year Plan.

Chen called the development of the HKSAR since the 16th CPC National Congress as an "extraordinary five years".

For example, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), launched in 2003, has provided Hong Kong businesses with access to the mainland market ahead of China's WTO schedule. Now under the framework, 38 service and trade enterprises on the mainland are open to Hong Kong businessmen.

The scope of investment by mainland banks for their clients under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors scheme has also been recently expanded, increasing financial cooperation between the mainland and the SAR.

Also, residents in 49 cities from 22 mainland provinces and municipalities can now visit Hong Kong under the "Individual Visit Scheme", further enhancing exchanges with the mainland.