A girl handed over to Medvedev a letter from her fellows who are still in Tuapse. "It is filled with our best wishes for you and our gratitude," she said.

"Please send my regards to your friends. I will certainly read it, with the help of a translator," he said.

The children presented Medvedev with some Chinese calligraphy works and embroidery as gifts. Medvedev expressed thanks in Chinese when he accepted the presents.

  A boy student from China's quake-hit Sichuan Province takes photos at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, capital of Russia, on July 30, 2008. (Xinhua)

The president took the initiative to be a guide for the children and showed them around the Andrew Hall of the Kremlin. In his introduction, Medvedev compared the Kremlin to China's Forbidden City.

Medvedev took photos with the children and gave them goodbye hugs when the half an hour meeting concluded.

While the president held Ma Xiaobo, a grade-three student from Pengzhou city, close in his arms, everybody cheered.

"You're welcome to visit China after the reconstruction of our hometowns," the children said in a loud voice.

"I know China is faced with the difficult task of reconstruction. I believe that the reconstruction will be achieved soon with the involvement of you little guys," Medvedev said.