President Hu Jintao met with Leung Chun-ying, the chief executive-elect of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Wednesday in Zhongnanhai, the seat of the central government.

Congratulating Leung on his victory in the election for Hong Kong's fourth-term chief executive and the ensuing appointment by the State Council, or the Cabinet, Hu said Leung, as the new chief executive, shoulders a significant responsibility and a glorious mission.

"The central government has placed high hope on you and the Hong Kong citizens are also full of expectation," Hu told Leung.

Hu said the central authorities were confident that Leung and the new government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) would unite and lead the Hong Kong people to develop the economy, improve people's livelihoods, and promote democracy and social harmony.

"Thus breaking new grounds for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and making greater contributions to the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' in Hong Kong."

Hu said the central government will continue to unswervingly follow the principle of "one country, two systems" under which the people of Hong Kong govern Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, act strictly in accordance with the Basic Law of the HKSAR and give all-out support for Leung and the HKSAR government in governance by law.

"We have full confidence in the bright future of Hong Kong," Hu concluded.

Hong Kong held the election for the fourth-term chief executive on March 25, which Leung won 689 of the 1,132 votes cast by members of the 1,200-member Election Committee. He was appointed by the State Council as the new HKSAR chief executive on March 28.