Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Friday that the Central Government will continue to fully support Hong Kong and Macao in dealing with the challenges brought by the global financial crisis.

Hu made the remarks in his respective meetings Friday afternoon with Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Edmund Ho Hau-wah, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

"The central government attaches great importance to the financial and economic stability of Hong Kong, and will continue to fully support the region in properly dealing with the challenges brought by the global financial crisis," Hu said.

Premier Wen Jiabao announced Friday the mainland's plan to help Hong Kong and Macao tackle economic challenges amid the global financial crisis.

"The motherland will always provide a reliable backing for Hong Kong",

Wen said during a meeting with Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR).

Premier Wen Jiabao met Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of HKSAR Friday morning.

The move is reminiscent of China's pledge to back Hong Kong, a leading world financial center, during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997.

According to Wen, the central government would help Hong Kong overcome challenges brought by the world financial crisis by promoting financial cooperation between the mainland and HKSAR.

The central government would help Hong Kong upgrade infrastructure construction and grant favorable policies for small and medium-sized HK enterprises, he said.

"The mainland would also ensure stable food, water, electricity and natural gas supply for the region and further open of its service industry market to HKSAR."

Measures will also be taken to encourage more mainland tourists to visit Hong Kong, said the Premier.

Wen said "the central government would firmly support the work of HKSAR and with joint efforts, Hong Kong people could turn present difficulties into opportunities... and achieve sustainable development."

In a separate meeting with the Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah, Wen said the central government would take similar support measures for the region.

"The central government will unswervingly support Macao to overcome difficulties and maintain a stable economic development in the region," the Premier said.

Both Donald Tsang and Edmund Ho Hau-wah were in Beijing for a briefing on regional work to the central government.

Hong Kong and Macao, previously colonies separately owned by the British and Portuguese, respectively returned to China in 1997 and 1999.

The two regions enjoy a high degree of autonomy, maintaining a capitalist economy under the policy of "one country, two systems".

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2008)