The chief executives of Macao and Hong Kong special administrative regions sent New Year messages to their compatriots in the Chinese mainland. 

Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), extended his Spring Festival greetings on the Chinese New Year's Eve, saying that Macao can overcome any adversity in the Year of the Ox by firmly implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and forging ahead with a united effort.

In his Chinese New Year message, Ho pledged the government will continue to work hand in hand with all sectors of civil society to advance in adversity. Macao will continue to devote efforts in both the COVID-19 pandemic control, and economic and social recovery, while accelerating the appropriate diversification of the economy.

Ho acknowledged that amid the global pandemic, Macao's economy was hit hard. With the immense support from the central government and Macao's solidarity and united spirit, the socio-economic situation has remained generally stable, Ho said.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) also extended Spring Festival greetings on Wednesday, saying that she believes Hong Kong can for certain forge ahead and return to prosperity again with united efforts.

Besides Lam, other senior HKSAR government officials, including Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng as well as others, also sent their greetings in the local media.

Lam said that Hong Kong has faced severe challenges in the past year as the social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly affected its economy and residents' life.

However, she said, since the implementation of the national security law for the HKSAR, society has gradually returned back to normal. And as long as the pandemic is controlled, Hong Kong can for certain have a new start and become prosperous again.

The HKSAR government will do their best in fighting the pandemic, Lam said. With the "One Country, Two Systems" principle maintained and efforts made, Hong Kong can seize the national development opportunities and benefit its residents and economy. Her thoughts were echoed by the financial secretary.

The chief secretary for the administration said that with the support of the central government, the HKSAR government would lead Hong Kong to seize the new opportunities of national development and participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The secretary for justice said that the department would take the unique advantages of the "One Country, Two Systems" mechanism to solidify Hong Kong's status as the world center for legal services and dispute settlement.