Vice President Zeng Qinghong met with delegations from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs) at Beijing's Great Hall of the People yesterday.

Zeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, welcomed the visitors who came for the National Day celebrations on Oct. 1.

Zeng hailed the country's success in accelerating economic development, improving living standards, raising its international status, and the steady advancement of Socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He also spoke highly of the development in the SARs after the return of sovereignty to China, Hong Kong in 1997 and Macao in 1999.