Chinese President Xi Jinping Sunday replied to a letter from a group of 30 elderly social workers in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and paid his respect to all seniors ahead of China's Double Ninth Festival, known as "Chongyang Festival," which falls on Monday.

The senior residents are serving in a professional elderly service center established in 2007, where Xi paid a visit in January 2009 as the vice president of China.

"You have experienced the successful practice of 'One Country, Two Systems' in Macao," Xi said. "I am glad that you devote yourselves to public welfare undertakings after retirement."

In his letter, Xi said he hopes the senior residents may tell the young people of Macao more stories that happened before and after Macao's return to the motherland. He encouraged them to pass on the fine tradition of loving the motherland and loving Macao to make contributions to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and to work together in making Macao more beautiful. 

In their letter to Xi, the senior residents spoke of the changes since Macao's return to the motherland and expressed their pride to be Chinese and determination to pass on the tradition of loving the motherland and Macao. 

Chongyang Festival is also known as "a festival for the elderly" in China. The day is seen as an opportunity to care for and appreciate the elderly.   

(With input from Xinhua)