BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said Wednesday the central government had great confidence in continued prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR).

    Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks when greeting with a delegation of social workers from Hong Kong headed by Mrs. Betty Tung, wife of the SAR's former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa.

    Mrs. Betty Tung set up the organization in 1998, mobilizing volunteers to help needy youth and women.

    Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, welcomed the visit of the delegation and praised its contribution to the region's prosperity and stability.

    He said, "China has confidence and the ability in overcoming the global financial downturn, which brought us challenges and opportunities as well."

    The mainland will always be a strong supporter of the Hong Kong SAR.