President Hu: "one country, two systems" successful in both HK and Macao

MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Saturday that "one country, two systems" had been successfully implemented in both Hong Kong and Macao since their return to the motherland.

Chinese President Hu Jintao(R) shakes hands with Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) in Macao SAR in south China on Dec. 19, 2009.(Xinhua)

"The two special administrative regions have accumulated rich experience in the regard, and can learn from each other and make progress together," said the president when meeting with Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and principal officials of the Hong Kong SAR government.

Hu and Tsang arrived here Saturday to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao SAR.

The 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland is a festive event not only for the Macao people, but also for the people in Hong Kong and people of all ethnic groups of the nation, said Hu.

The president spoke highly of the active efforts by the Hong Kong SAR government and people of all circles, under the leadership of Tsang, in maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability amid the global financial crisis.

The president expressed his confidence that through concerted efforts of the Hong Kong SAR government and people of all circles, the Hong Kong economy can be recovered at the earliest time, people's livelihood constantly improved, and the issue of constitutional development properly handled.

He was also confident that the Hong Kong SAR government and people of various sectors will also continue to work hard together to create a good social environment of harmony and stability.

Tsang thanked the president for the encouragement and support given to him and Hong Kong, pledging that the HKSAR government will do its utmost to sustain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Present at the meeting were Liu Yandong, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning, Li Jianguo, Liao Hui and Chen Bingde.

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Edmund Ho Hau Wah was also present at the meeting.