Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday the central government has been following closely the pandemic situation in Hong Kong, and is deeply concerned about the health and safety of Hong Kong residents.

Li, who made the remark at a news conference following the conclusion of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress, said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government should take on its primary responsibility to fight the pandemic, and the central government will lend full support to it.

Li said he understands and fully supports the HKSAR government in postponing the election of its new chief executive and concentrating on combating the COVID-19 outbreak.

China will continue to implement fully and faithfully the principle of "one country, two systems", under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, Li said.

The election of the next HKSAR government will be conducted in strict accordance with the Basic Law, the premier said.

Li also said he hopes the HKSAR government will unite and lead people in Hong Kong to continue the city's development, improve its residents' lives, consolidate and enhance its status as a center of international finance, trade and shipping, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability of the city.