BEIJING - Macao has made fresh progress in 2012 in developing the political system and democracy with its regional characteristics, President Hu Jintao said Friday in Beijing.

Macao maintained fast economic growth and a low unemployment rate this year, while making progress in people's welfare, social harmony and regional economic cooperation, Hu said as he met with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Chui is in Beijing to brief officials on Macao's latest economic, social and political developments.

Hu said the central authorities recognize and support Chui and the SAR government.

Hu also called on them to devote more efforts in the coming year toward carrying out the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law, as well as maintaining economic growth and social development, in order to contribute more to the successful implementation of the principle.

Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also participated in the meeting.