President Jiang Zemin and Vice-President Hu Jintao met separately with Tung Chee-hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and Edmund Ho Hau-wah, chief executive of the Macao SAR, yesterday in Beijing. Both SAR leaders are in Beijing on a regular yearly visit.

Jiang told Tung that "one country, two systems" was a long-term policy. The first successful step was made when China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong five years ago, he said.

Jiang said the policy will be steadfastly followed when dealing with Hong Kong, adding that the central government will fully support the chief executive and his administration.

The central government will go all out to help Hong Kong overcome its current economic slump and maintain its prosperity, Jiang said, adding that he remains optimistic over Hong Kong's prospects.

When meeting with Ho, Jiang said Macao has enjoyed stable social and economic development since it rejoined the nation three years ago.

The new leaders elected at the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in November will continue to implement the Party's policy on Hong Kong and Macao, he said.

Both Tung and Ho thanked the president for his strong support for the SAR governments' work and promised to continue efforts to develop the regions.

Vice-President Hu Jintao also emphasized that the newly elected Party leaders will stick to the Party's policies on Hong Kong and Macao.

The central government will strive to support the two chief executives and their administrations, Hu said.

(China Daily December 12, 2002)