John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong Chief Executive, meets with about 30 Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress on Monday. [Photo/news.gov.hk]

Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, pinned high hopes on the city's 36 deputies sitting in the National People's Congress, the top legislature of the nation, to promote the city's integration into the nation's overall development and revitalization of the local economy in the upcoming national "two sessions".

Lee expressed his expectations on Monday when meeting about 30 Hong Kong NPC deputies, days before they are set to attend the first annual session of the 14th National People's Congress, held in Beijing. The NPC session is also its first plenary gathering since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which concluded in October.

Lee stressed that Hong Kong society is on a fast-track to normalcy, as well as reconnecting to the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world.

In order to boost Hong Kong's development momentum, it must grasp the opportunities ahead to proactively integrate into national development, the chief executive added.

As NPC deputies are familiar with matters of the country and Hong Kong, Lee said he hopes they can provide constructive suggestions in the upcoming national session which will enable Hong Kong to better leverage its advantages and will be conducive to address the city's livelihood issues.

The SAR government will continue to strengthen links with the Hong Kong deputies, unite different sectors of the community, with a view of enhancing the power and value of "patriots administering Hong Kong," Lee added.

The 14th National People's Congress will convene its first annual session in Beijing on Mar 5. A total of 36 Hong Kong deputies, who were elected in December, will attend the gathering with other NPC deputies nationwide to deliberate national affairs.

Meanwhile, over 180 Hong Kong members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation's top political advisory body, are set to leave for Beijing for the annual session of the National Committee of CPPCC, which will hold its first session on Mar 4.