Chinese President Hu Jintao (5th R) meets with Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah (6th R) in Beijing Dec. 19, 2008. Edmund Ho Hau-wah was in Beijing for a briefing on regional work to the central government. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

    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.

    Both Donald Tsang and Edmund Ho Hau-wah are here for a briefing on regional work to the Central Government.

    Hu said when meeting with Donald Tsang that Hong Kong has taken a series of effective measures to stimulate economic growth, increase employment, support local enterprises, and to stabilize and regain public confidence in its financial market.

    "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," he said.

    He said the Central Government believes that Hong Kong will be able to turn the challenges into opportunities and maintain prosperity and stability and harmonious development.

    In a separate meeting with Edmund Ho Hau-wah, Hu said Macao has achieved remarkable progress in the region's development over the past nine years, and pledged supportive measures for Macao.

    "The Central Government will continue to fully support the Macao SAR to overcome difficulties and realize moderately diversified economic development," he said.

    Hu also wished a happy new year to the Hong Kong and Macao people during the meetings.

    Vice President Xi Jinping, State Councilor Liu Yandong and a few other senior leaders were also present at the meetings.

    Hong Kong and Macao, previously colonies separately ruled 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".

Chinese President Hu Jintao (5th R) meets with Donald Tsang (6th R), chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), in Beijing Dec. 19, 2008. Donald Tsang was in Beijing for a briefing on regional work to the central government. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)