Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), joined a group discussion March 7 with Hong Kong deputies to the NPC, in session here since Sunday.

The top lawmaker, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, exchanged views with Hong Kong deputies on a number of issues.

Li agreed with some Hong Kong deputies that inter-parliamentary exchanges are a key component of China's diplomacy, saying that the NPC has set up bilateral friendship groups with parliaments of more than 50 foreign countries. To include Hong Kong deputies into these groups is a way for them to take part in the administration of state affairs, he said.

The NPC leader also aired his views on environmental protection, the strategy to develop the country's west in a big way, China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the security of the banking industry and computer networks, and reform of state-owned enterprises.

Li praised the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, headed by chief executive Tung Chee Hwa, for its effective administration over the region since Hong Kong's return to its motherland on July 1, 1997. The whole world has witnessed that, in quite a short period of time, the SAR government has got over serious economic difficulties and maintained economic prosperity and social stability.

Li Peng encouraged Hong Kong deputies to speak out what they want to say, discuss state affairs with other deputies and make greater contributions to the country.