Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Beijing on Thursday delegations from Hong Kong and Macao that came to Beijing to attend the National Day celebrations.

Consisting of people from various walks of the society, the two delegations are headed by Tung Chee Hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, respectively.

Hu said the promising future of Hong Kong and Macao would depend on the unity and endeavor of the people from the two regions.

"I do hope that people from different walks of life in the two regions, including those holding different viewpoints on some issues, rally under the banners of 'Love China love Hong Kong' and 'Love China love Macao,' hold tight opportunities for future development and share the same ambition of safeguarding the stability and harmonious relations among the people."

"You can prove with facts that the compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao have all the necessary wisdom and capability to manage and build the two regions into a better future," said Hu. 

"We are very happy that, in these happy days, Mr. Tung and Mr. Ho have led the delegations here to celebrate the birthday of the People's Republic of China," Hu said.
  
On behalf of the central government, Hu welcomed the delegations and extended greetings and goodwill wishes to the compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao.

He said compatriots from the two regions have contributed a lot to the construction and development of the People's Republic of China at different times since its founding in 1949.

"What particularly makes us happy is that Deng Xiaoping's concept of 'One China, Two Systems' has been comprehensively implemented in Hong Kong and Macao. And 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong,' 'Macao people governing Macao' and high degree of autonomy have become reality in the regions," said Hu.

"Currently, Hong Kong is showing an obvious momentum of economic recovery and Macao has witnessed an incessant economic growth. We are full of confidence with the future of them both."

"The central government hopes the two regions grow better and better. We will unswervingly implement the 'One Country, Two Systems' guidelines and strictly act according to the Basic Laws for the regions," he said.

"We will also fully support the governments and chief executives of the regions to handle governmental affairs according to law and spare no effort in keeping the regions prosperous and stable," said Hu.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Wen Jiabao, the premier, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Vice President Zeng Qinghong attended the meeting.  

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2004)