The white paper hailed the "one country, two systems" policy as a creative innovation of the CPC and the Chinese government that has proved to be a great success in Hong Kong.

"With their political vision, the CPC and the Chinese government are certain of the long-term success of the socialist system on the mainland," it said. "They are equally certain of the long-term success of both the capitalist system in Hong Kong and a form of democracy suited to its realities."

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said in a statement on Monday that the central government has always been steering the course for the development of democracy in Hong Kong and has supported and promoted this endeavor.