BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Monday that Hong Kong and Macao will enjoy an even brighter future with the full support from the central government.

"I'm confident that Hong Kong and Macao will strengthen their position and role, with the strong backing of the motherland and the institutional safeguards of the 'one country, two systems' policy," Li said at a press conference.

The central government has always attached high importance to helping the two special administrative regions leverage their unique strength, Li said.

Since their return to the motherland, with the support of the motherland, Hong Kong's status as a global financial, shipping and trading center has been strengthened, and Macao has also built itself into a world-renowned tourism and leisure center, he added.

Li said that it is true that Hong Kong and Macao have encountered some difficulties in recent years for various reasons, but these difficulties were temporary and arose in the course of development.

The central government will "fully, faithfully and resolutely" implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and fully support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating themselves into the overall development of the country, developing their economies and improving people's livelihoods, and further enhancing their international competitiveness, Li said.

He believes that with the strong backing of the country and the institutional guarantee of the "one country, two systems" principle, the roles and status of both cities will not be weakened, and both cities will have an even brighter future.