President Jiang Zemin Thursday met with Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, and Macao's Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah, on separate occasions.
Jiang congratulated Tung for being elected and appointed chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) for the second term.
He praised Tung for his hard work and widely recognized achievements over the past five years in implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, safeguarding Hong Kong's social stability and promoting long-term economic development.
He urged Tung to summarize his experience in the first term and work to promote Hong Kong's economic recovery and growth, and lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
Jiang pledged that the central government will continue to give full support to Tung, and expressed the belief that with Tung's leadership and support of Hong Kong people, the SAR will be able to overcome difficulties and build a brighter future.
In his meeting with the Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Jiang expressed his appreciation of the Macao SAR government led by Ho Hau Wah in properly handling major issues related to Macao's future development.
He urged Ho to work still harder, rally the Macao people and create a better future for the Macao SAR.
Both chief executives are in Beijing for the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.
(People's Daily March 8, 2002)