Officials from Beijing and HK pledged to make renewed efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two cities in areas such as finance, services, culture and innovation.
"When I came to customs, a van needed half an hour to finish all the procedures and then it got passed through. Now it takes only five seconds," Zeng Hui said.
A growing number of students from Hong Kong are choosing to study at universities on the mainland because of the high-quality education on offer and the valuable life experience and networking that follow.
President Hu said the central government will remain committed to the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy.
Though 15 years have passed since Hong Kong's return, it still continues to be an important conduit for the mainland's interactions with the outside world.
President Hu Jintao said Sunday morning that Hong Kong residents now enjoy the range of democratic rights and freedoms that they had never done before.
In the years since Hong Kong's return to China, students from other parts of the country have been traveling to the special administrative region in large numbers to study and work.
In the last 15 years ties between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland have flourished and the mainland is now an integral part of Hong Kong's economic development.
A growing number of students from Hong Kong are choosing to study at universities on the mainland because of the high-quality education on offer and the valuable life experience and networking that follow.
Hong Kong will have a brighter tomorrow if the local community remains united to overcome difficulties and challenges, President Hu said on Saturday. 
HK's evolving role Two systems Competitiveness
The Chinese central government and the HKSAR government signed Friday a new supplement to the CEPA, aiming to enhance trade and economic cooperation and exchanges.
China's State Council has agreed to build a pilot zone in Shenzhen's Qianhai area near Hong Kong, with a series of special incentive policies.
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