BEIJING - China's central government Monday expressed confidence in the new Hong Kong government after the region finished the election of its fourth-term chief executive Sunday.

The State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office issued a statement to extend congratulations to Leung Chun-ying, chief executive-elect of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

"We believe Mr. Leung Chun-ying will lead the HKSAR government and unite people from all walks of Hong Kong society to work together for a better future for Hong Kong after he takes office," the office said in the statement.

"We are fully confident of the new HKSAR government and the future of Hong Kong," the office said.

The election was conducted in line with the Basic Law and relevant election laws of the HKSAR and embodied the principle of openness, fair play and justice, it said.

The office said that it had received a report of the election from the HKSAR government and Leung's appointment is being handled according to procedures, according to the statement.

The HKSAR held the election for the fourth-term chief executive on Sunday morning. Leung won 689 votes of the 1,132 votes cast by members of the 1,200-member Election Committee.