Chinese President Hu Jintao met here on Saturday with Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Hu said he is pleased with the continued economic growth, social stability and improvement of people's life the HKSAR achieved over the past year or so.

The HKSAR government now should make utmost efforts to maintain and consolidate this trend while preparing the election of the Chief Executive Election Committee, Hu said.

The central government will persistently support the HKSAR government to maintain the long-term stability and prosperity of the HKSAR, with the support of Hong Kong compatriots, the president said.

Hu and Tsang met on the sidelines of the two-day 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which began in Hanoi on Saturday.