Chinese President Hu Jintao urged college students to turn their patriotic passion into concrete actions of studying hard and contributing to the upcoming Olympic Games during a visit to Peking University on Saturday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) visits the prestigious Peking University on its 110th anniversary in Beijing, capital of China, May 3, 2008.

Hu called upon the 110-year-old elite institution of higher learning on the eve of its anniversary, extending congratulations and greetings to the students, faculty and alumni.

The President joined in students at the university library, shaking hands and chatting with them.

"College life is the golden time in a person's life. You should make the most of the time to study hard, think hard and practice hard," he said. "You should also actively engage in social activities so as to not only learn the knowledge but also improve your ability to serve the country."

He said students should turn patriotism into "actions of studying hard, working for the coming Olympic games, and improving yourselves to meet the needs of the country and people."

His remark found an echo in many students. "I know that patriotism is not just in words but also in action. What we should do now to love our country is to study hard," said Yang Zhehao, a postgraduate student from the university's College of Marxism.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) visits the prestigious Peking University on its 110th anniversary in Beijing, capital of China, May 3, 2008.