President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Chui Sai On in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 23, 2015. Chui is in Beijing to report his work to the central government. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday said the central authority has attached great importance to Macao's prosperity and stability, urging the region to grasp opportunities of development and promote "appropriate diversification" of its economy.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), who was in Beijing to report his work in 2015 to the central government.

"Although Macao's economy has witnessed a consecutive slowdown due to various factors, society remains stable and is facing new opportunities with a pressure-resistant economy," Xi said.

The president called on the SAR government to unite the whole of society and seize opportunities to boost "appropriate diversification" of the local economy and improve people's livelihood.

The SAR government was told to be prepared for any eventuality, maintain political stability, improve the ability of governance and promote the implementation of "one country, two systems."

In the past year, Chui and the Macao SAR government worked hard on the region's long-term prosperity and achieved new development, Xi said, adding that the central government "fully endorses the work of Chui and the SAR government."

Xi recalled that he attended celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland on Dec. 19, 2014. During the visit, he promised to clarify the water areas governed by Macao.