Hu made the remarks while meeting Leung 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 hopes on you and the citizens of Hong Kong are also full of expectation," Hu told Leung.

　　Hu said the central authorities were confident that Leung and the new HKSAR government 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 to Leung and the HKSAR government in governance by law.

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

　　Noting that Hong Kong faces both opportunities and challenges, Leung said he would live up to the expectations of the central government, by uniting people from all circles to work for Hong Kong's future, making use of the city's advantages so that they can forge ahead.

　　Also present at the meeting were Vice President Xi Jinping, State Councilor Liu Yandong, Ling Jihua, a member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Liao Hui, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

　　Hong Kong held the election for the fourth-term chief executive on March 25, when 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.