Former chief executives lauded for contributions

SARs urged to promote exchanges, collaboration

President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that the practice of "one country, two systems" has entered a new stage, calling on the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to demonstrate even greater achievements and achieve better development.

Xi made the remarks during his meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR John Lee Ka-chiu in Macao. He urged Hong Kong and Macao to promote mutual learning, exchanges and collaboration to create a brighter future.

Highlighting the high expectations the country has for Hong Kong, Xi expressed the hope that Lee and the SAR government would exercise governance prudently, focus on economic growth and strive to create new glories for Hong Kong.

Lee pledged to lead Hong Kong in economic development, improve people's livelihoods, actively participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and better integrate the SAR into the country's overall development landscape.

Cao Desheng