Chinese President Jiang Zemin met in Beijing Monday with Tung Chee Hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, pledging sustained support for Hong Kong's prosperity.

Tung is in Beijing attending the annual meeting of the National People's Congress.

Jiang said that he is happy to see that Hong Kong's economy has improved in the wake of the Asian financial crisis.

Jiang said that the Basic Law is the basic principle in dealing with Hong Kong's affairs and that the Law must be consistently and resolutely carried out.

Jiang pointed out that in the course of practicing "one country, two system" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" principles, all Hong Kong people should unite on the basis of maintaining the overall interests of the motherland and Hong Kong.

He added that unity holds the key to overcoming all kinds of difficulties and ensuring Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.

Also Monday Jiang met Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), pledging firm support for Macao's economic development.

Jiang said that shortly after Macao's return to the motherland, there has already been remarkable improvement in the public security and gradual recovery of the economy in the Macao SAR.

Jiang promised that the inland areas, as the strong backing of the Macao SAR, will give full support to the Macao SAR government in its efforts to develop local economy.

Ho said that he is confident and determined to succeed in putting the "one country, two systems" principle into practice in the region by leading the SAR government and bringing into play the initiative of all sectors.