President Hu Jintao meets chief executive of Macao SAR

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday met with Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), and congratulated on his appointment for the second term.

The Chinese president affirmed Ho's successful performance during his first term, saying that Macao has enjoyed sustained, rapid economic growth and social stability since its return to the motherland in December, 1999.

Hu attributed Macao's achievements to the united and pragmatic efforts of people from all strata of Macao society to fully implement the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law of Macao SAR under the leadership of the Macao SAR government headed by Ho.

Hu said he hoped that Ho and the Macao SAR government will, summing up and carrying forward the past successful experience in administration, make continuous efforts and do a still better job in developing economy, safeguarding social stability and creating a harmonious social environment in the region.

Ho was elected as the first chief executive of the Macao SAR on May 15, 1999, and took office on December 20 of the same year. He was re-elected this year and his second term is set to begin on December 20, 2004.

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong and a number of other senior central government officials were present at the meeting.