President Hu meets with Macao chief executive

President Hu Jintao met in Macao on December 19 with Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Hu said that in his first trip to Macao, though its duration is short, he has felt the unique charm of the city and Macao compatriots' true love for the motherland and for Macao as well.

Hu said that he was glad to see that under the leadership of the chief executive, the Macao SAR government and the various circles of society get along with each other in harmony and that the region enjoys prosperity.

The president expressed his hope that Mr. Ho and the SAR government would continue to exert themselves to make the region prosperous and lay a solid foundation for Macao's long-term stability, and make new contributions to the smooth progress of the cause of "one country, two systems."

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with officials of the government of Macao Special Administrative Region, in Macao, south China, Dec. 19, 2004.

Ho thanked the president for his concern for Macao and the Macao people, and said the Macao government will unswervingly implement the "one country, two systems" principle, strive to promote economic development, and make Macao gain real benefit.

He expressed his confidence in leading the SAR government and residents to work hard in unity so as to continue to create a new situation of prosperity and stability in Macao.

The president arrived in Macao Sunday morning to attend a cerebration gathering marking the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the second-term government of the Macao SAR.