Hu pledges continued support to HK, Macao

President Hu Jintao yesterday urged Hong Kong and Macao to seek further progress in economic and democratic development.

He made the remarks while meeting 280 deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from the two special administrative regions at the Great Hall of the People.

Both governments should "work hard with local people to concentrate on developing their economies, effectively improve people's livelihood, advance democracy step by step and promote social harmony in a tolerant atmosphere", he said.