MACAO, Dec. 20 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed drawing on the experience since the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland in maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability in the two special administrative regions (SARs).

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks here at a gathering celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR.

He urged upholding the fundamental principle of "one country" while leveraging the benefits of "two systems," and maintaining high-level security while promoting high-quality development.

Xi called for giving full play to the unique advantages of Hong Kong and Macao, which should expand their connections with the world while intensively integrating into the country's development strategies.

The president also urged carrying forward the core values of loving the country as well as loving Hong Kong and Macao, and promoting inclusiveness and harmony in the two regions.