Among the dignitaries who attended the event were Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong's chief executive; Luo Huining, director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong; and Huang Liuquan, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Ning Jizhe, vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, delivered a speech about the plan from Beijing via video link.

Some Hong Kong officials and representatives from IT and financial sectors will meet the media after the event.

The central government delegation will also hold a seminar at the city's legislature at 4 pm.