All sectors of the community should strengthen communication and avoid confrontation so as to build a harmonious society and boost ties with the Chinese central authorities, Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Thursday.

Tung said he has been advocating the need to step up exchanges since he took office seven years ago, adding that a good relationship should be built on the basis of mutual trust and respect.

Tung stressed he has been reflecting Hong Kong's actual situation to the Chinese central authorities, and that they have assured the city's call for democracy. He pledged the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government will continue exchanges with all sectors to boost ties and achieve the target of universal suffrage in an orderly, progressive manner.

On the upcoming Legislative Council elections, Tung said it is important to maintain a good relationship between the government and the legislature. This is what Hong Kong people aspire for, and it will benefit the whole community, he said.

He said Hong Kong's core values such as the rule of law, freedoms and liberties, fairness and honesty reflect a city's strength, and that the SAR government remains steadfast in upholding these.