Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai applauded the great success of Hong Kong in the last 20 years since its return to the motherland.

"Hong Kong's accomplishment is outstanding," he told a crowd of several hundred people on Thursday at a celebration in the Chinese embassy marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

Cui said Hong Kong has enjoyed sustained prosperity and stability, remained a global financial, trade and shipping center and led the world in major indicators of social and economic development.

"Today, Hong Kong, the 'Pearl of the East', is shining with ever bright glory in the hand of the Chinese people," Cui said.

The top Chinese diplomat in Washington said the success of "one country, two systems" has earned recognition by the international community.

He said that history has also shown the unbreakable bond and shared future of Hong Kong and the rest of the Chinese nation.

"The past 20 years have witnessed a prosperous and stable Hong Kong, as well as a fast-developing China. Hong Kong supported the growth of the mainland, while the mainland drove Hong Kong's prosperity," Cui said.

He emphasized that Hong Kong and the mainland stood together when facing challenges from the financial crisis to the SARS epidemic and helped each other when struck by natural disasters. "Indeed, Hong Kong's interest is the interest of the motherland, and when the motherland grows, Hong Kong will prosper," Cui said.

"Hong Kong's success in the past 20 years gives us greater confidence in Hong Kong's future," he said.

In the hallway of the Chinese embassy building, a photo exhibition marking the 20th anniversary was held.

Cui also applauded Hong Kong's important role in the cooperation between China and the US. He said Hong Kong has enjoyed growing economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges with the US.

In 2016, two-way trade between Hong Kong and the US delivered a US surplus of $28.9 billion. Thousands of American businesses prosper in Hong Kong, and about 85,000 Americans live in Hong Kong.

"Continued prosperity and stability of Hong Kong is in line with the interest of the US, and contributes to regional and global development," Cui said.

Cui said that China hopes that the US will fully respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, support with concrete actions the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

"We are happy to see that economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between Hong Kong and the US keep growing, and more and more American people put Hong Kong as a top choice to live, run business or spend vacations.