Closer Mainland Ties Won't Affect HK's Status: Li

Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that closer ties between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau will "blur the line between two systems" promised in the "One Country, Two Systems" principle for the two SARs.

Beijing has unveiled an initiative to develop Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and eight other cities in Guangdong into a mega metropolitan hub termed the Greater Bay Area.

Speaking at a press conference following the closing ceremony of the NPC’s annual plenary session, Premier Li said both Hong Kong and Macau are encouraged to integrate their development into the overall national development.

"In this process we will observe One Country, Two Systems under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macau administer Macau with both regions enjoying a high degree of autonomy," he said.

Li also said China will continue to support free trade and its doors will “open up even wider” in future economic development.

He said China will work to bring down tariffs, and try to achieve “zero tariff” for medicine, especially cancer drugs. He also said the government will revise laws for foreign investment to create a fairer trading environment.

Premier Li dismissed suggestions that China is using its “money and market” as political tools to influence or “infiltrate” other countries.

He said China does not want to see a trade war between itself and the United States.