China's central government will continue its support for the development of the Macao Special Administrative Region, said President Hu Jintao on Friday.

In the seven years since its return to China, Macao had sustained fast development and improved social security, Hu said while meeting with Macao SAR Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah.

The ties between the region and the mainland were getting closer and Macao was making more exchanges with other countries, he said.

"The central government will continue to support and assist Macao in its development and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability," Hu told Ho, who was in Beijing to make an annual work report to the central government.

He also hoped the Macao government and the people could contribute more to the region's future.

Source: Xinhua