HONG KONG - Hong Kong has played an irreplaceable role in China's reform and opening-up policy as well as the modernization construction, visiting Chinese vice premier Li Keqiang said here on Wednesday.

Li delivered a keynote speech Wednesday morning at a forum focusing on the 12th Five-Year Program (2011-2015) and financial and trade cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong.

Li said there have been tremendous achievements of cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong in the past. Hong Kong has played an irreplaceable role in the nation's reform and opening-up policy as well as the modernization construction. At the same time, the mainland has been providing a strong support for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The forum is sponsored by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ministry of Commerce, National Development and Reform Commission and People's Bank of China. The forum is chaired by Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong.