The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) grabbed Hong Kong newspapers' headlines on Tuesday, which said the political report by Hu Jintao had "charted a clearer roadmap" for the country's development.

"China has reassured the world with a much clearer roadmap," the Wen Wei Po newspaper said in a commentary, quoting Hu's remarks on reform and opening-up in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the congress Monday morning.

"Hu Jintao's elaboration on Hong Kong and Macao, together with the Taiwan question, will exert great and profound impact on maintaining stability and prosperity in Hong Kong and Macao and promoting the ultimate peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait," the commentary said.

The newspaper said Hu's report showed the central government has paid greater attention to policies concerning Hong Kong and would help enhance its long-term prosperity and stability.

The Ta Kung Pao newspaper's said the reform and opening-up drive by the CPC does not only conform to the will of the Party and people on the Chinese mainland, "it also strikes a chord with overseas Chinese, including the seven million Hong Kong people."

The Hong Kong Economic Times said in its commentary that the Scientific Outlook on Development runs through Hu's report, thus becoming the primary banner of the CPC's 17th National Congress.

The newspaper said the Scientific Outlook on Development was a good response to new problems and challenges arising from the reform and opening-up drive by putting the people first, sharing fruits of economic prosperity with the people, reducing environmental woes and achieving sustainable development.

The Hong Kong Daily News commented that the motherland's goals in development has offered Hong Kong with great chances given its status as an international financial, shipping and trade center.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)