MACAO, Dec. 19 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Friday with Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Xi highly appreciated Ho's unswerving contribution to Macao's development, who has been actively supporting the work of the chief executive and the government of the SAR after he stepped down in 2009.

Xi said he hoped that Ho could continue to give advices to the central government and the SAR on major issues concerning Macao's long-term development and lasting stability.

The president arrived on Friday noon for celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the fourth-term government of the Macao SAR scheduled on Saturday.

Ho, who became the first chief executive of the Macao SAR in 1999 when China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao and won the election for a second term in 2004, expressed thanks for the president's encouragement.

Ho said Macao's successful development in the past 15 years had made him truly believe that the motherland is a strong support of Macao's prosperity and stability.

Ho said he also believed that with the trust and support from the central government and the Macao people, the new SAR government will keep working diligently in accordance with the Basic Law to enhance Macao's integration into national development strategy.

He vowed to make continued contributions to Macao and the motherland.