Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang concluded a 3-day visit to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Thursday afternoon and returned to Beijing.

Before boarding his plane, Li told reporters at Hong Kong International Airport that he had deep feelings and more knowledge about Hong Kong as a result of this trip.

The first feeling is that Hong Kong's role in the nation's reform and opening drive is irreplaceable, and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong is blessed with wide areas and huge potential, he said.

Secondly, Hong Kong compatriots are hard-working and wise, and the Hong Kong society is open, diversified and full of vigor, Li said.

Thirdly, whatever the environment might change, Hong Kong under the rule of "one country, two systems" has strong vitality and is capable of dealing with challenges and maintaining prosperity and stability.

"With potential, vigor and vitality, I am fully confident of Hong Kong's future development," he added.

Li was seen off at the airport by Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and other senior officials of the city government as well heads of the Liaison Office of the Chinese Central People's Government in Hong Kong, office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and the Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Li, who arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning, attended more than 20 activities during his visit.

In the first day, he met Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, chatted with elders at the Wong Cho Tong Social Service Building which belongs to Hong Kong's charity organization Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, inspected the Hong Kong Housing Authority Exhibition Center, visited ordinary families and had a tea gathering with Hong Kong's businesspeople, among others.

In the second day, Li delivered a keynote speech at a forum focusing on the 12th Five-Year Program (2011-2015) and financial and trade cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, witnessed the signing ceremony of major economic cooperation projects, attended the ceremony on issuance of treasury bonds, visited the Hong Kong stock exchange and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, toured the Vocational Training Council, met heads of Hong Kong's administrative, legislative and judiciary bodies and attended a welcoming dinner, among others.

In the final day, he attended celebration of Hong Kong University centennial anniversary and inaugurated the new Tamar complex of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, among others.

It was Li's first visit to Hong Kong as vice premier.