One of China's topmost leaders on Wednesday urged people of Hong Kong to seek greater economic integration with China and to completely reject the radical idea of independence.

Zhang Dejiang, who is currently on a three-day visit to Hong Kong, is the first high-ranking Chinese leader to visit Hong Kong since pro-democracy movement broke out in 2014. Zhang is widely considered to be one of the top three most important leaders in China's Communist party.             

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In his address to Hong Kong's top officials and business leaders, Dejiang condemned the actions of some pro-democracy leaders who label themselves "localists" to achieve greater independence from mainland China.      

"An extremely small number of people, reject the 'one country,' reject the central government, even call for independence. This is not localism. This is using localism's name to do the deed of separatism," Zhang said at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. "Rocking the boat won't do any good for Hong Kong. It will only let years and months slip by and harm the economy and people's livelihoods."   

Zhang promised that Hong Kong would continue to benefit economically through cooperation with China. He reiterated that the city would become one of the financial hubs of the world after Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Silk route is completed.      

The Chinese leader briefly touched on the 2014 pro-democracy movement, but choose not to speak on several contentious issues including next year's chief executive election and the detention of five Hong Kong publishers last year.   

Some political experts in Hong Kong have described Zhang's remarks on Wednesday as 'highly one-sided,' addressing concerns of only China and not people of Hong Kong.

"He is using both stick and carrot, reminding Hong Kong, 'There is a lot of money to be made, as long as you behave yourself,'" Jean-Pierre Cabestan, director of government and international studies at Hong Kong Baptist University said. "This is reminding Hong Kong who is the boss. He didn't mention the booksellers, no political reforms, no concession."

The 2014 Pro-Democracy Movement, popularly referred to as Umbrella Revolution, sparked off across Hong Kong in the last weeks of September two years ago. The protests began after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) announced that the Chinese Communist Party would be conducting pre-screening of all the candidates participating in Hong Kong Chief Executive election in 2017.

TagsHong Kong, china, zhang dejiang, China and Hong Kong, 2014 Pro-Democracy Movement Hong Kong