Premier voices full support for HK, Macao gov'ts

Premier Li Keqiang on Monday met up withCY Leung and Chui Sai On, chief executives of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, praising the regions' roles in boosting the country's overall development.

Li vowed that the country's new leadership will uphold the "one country, two systems" doctrine and fully support the lawful ruling of the two chief executives and their governments, with strengthening exchanges between the two regions and the mainland.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) meets with CY Leung (2nd L), chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Chui Sai On (L), chief executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2013.

Noting that the two regions are in a crucial development period, Li urged local people and the governments to safeguard the central government's authority while boosting their competitive power in the region.

According to Li, joint efforts should be made to develop the economy, improve people's livelihoods and properly handle all manner of issues.

The two executives came to Beijing to attend the closing ceremony of the 1st session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) on Sunday.