Full coverage: Top Chinese legislator attends Belt and Road Summit

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The Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Zhang Dejiang gave a key note speech at a forum on the Belt and Road cooperation initiative in Hong Kong.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Summit sponsored by the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), in Hong Kong, south China, May 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Wednesday marked the middle of Zhang's three-day inspection trip to the Special Administrative Region. At the Belt and Road Summit, he delivered a key note speech, calling on Hong Kong to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the initiative.

"The Chinese central government attaches great importance to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability as well as its role in the national strategy," Zhang said.

Zhang said the central government supports closer exchange and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, and supports Hong Kong in expanding economic and trade ties with the world. He also said that Hong Kong needs to take a more active part in the national development strategy.

Zhang said Hong Kong should deepen cooperation with the mainland, and jointly develop markets along the Belt and Road.

"We encourage Hong Kong to work with inland provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in developing overseas businesses, to build a multi-level form of cooperation at different parts of the value chain, and jointly explore markets along the Belt and Road," Zhang said.

Zhang began his inspection trip to the Special Administrative Region on Tuesday. He expressed confidence in a bright future for Hong Kong. This is the first visit by a central government leader since 2012, when then-President Hu Jintao participated in the 15th anniversary celebrations of Hong Kong's return to China.