Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday morning urged the just-inaugurated government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to promote social harmony and stability.

Harmony and stability underpin development, while improving people's livelihood is essential for building a harmonious and stable society, said Hu in a speech at the inaugural ceremony of the fourth-term government of the SAR and the swearing-in of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

"It is imperative for the new SAR government to follow the principle of putting people first in its administration, accurately gauge public opinion and take concrete and effective measures to properly address issues concerning people's livelihood and social tensions," he said.

The president urged the SAR government to pay greater attention to ensuring equal opportunities, heed the concerns of disadvantaged groups and care about the younger generation so that the people of all sectors in Hong Kong will share the benefits of the city's development and lead a better life.

He also called on people from different social groups and sectors in Hong Kong to bear in mind the overall interests, follow the call of loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong, work for the broadest unity, wholeheartedly support the new SAR government in effectively administering Hong Kong pursuant to law, and increase the cohesion of the Hong Kong society.