As former Premier Zhu Rongji pointed out in his Report on the Work of Government delivered at the First Session of the 10th National People's Congress in March 2003, "During the past five years, fresh progress was made in promoting the great cause of national reunification." The report stated that following the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese Government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao in December 1999. By adhering to the principle of "one country, two systems," the basic laws of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs) have been implemented. The Central Government has given full support to the chief executives of the two regions and their governments in the discharge of their duties under the basic laws. Both Hong Kong and Macao have experienced social and economic stability. "Upholding the basic principles of 'peaceful reunification' and 'one country, two systems' and the eight-point proposal by President Jiang Zemin on the settlement of the Taiwan issue, we fought resolutely against the pro-independence separatist forces in Taiwan," the report pointed out. And much effort has been made in promoting exchanges and contacts across the Taiwan Straits, the "three direct links (in mail, trade, and air and shipping services)" between the two sides and the peaceful reunification of the motherland.