A high-ranking Chinese official on Monday sought to reassure business leaders that Hong Kong after 1997 will continue to be a safe place to do business.

Lu Ping, China’s top official involved in the 1997 transition of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty, made his pitch in private meetings with state business officials and in a speech at a luncheon sponsored by the Washington State China Relations Council.

“I would like to emphasize that China has full confidence that after 1997, Hong Kong will not only maintain its prosperity and stability and its status (as) a financial, trading, shipping and tourist center, but that it will be developed further,” Lu said in his speech.

Lu, who works directly for Chinese Premier Li Peng, is on a 1 1/2-week tour of the United States to promote China’s side of the Hong Kong story. The trip is his first to America in that capacity.