Chinese President Hu Jintao on the eve of the International Children's Day extended his cordial greetings to the children across the country in a letter in reply to seven primary and middle school students in Beijing.
The seven students expressed in their letters to Hu their wishes to talk as "old friends" to the president, a "grandfather" in their eyes, about children's concerns.
Among them, Xin Yuan hoped the president would pass on her regards to SARS children patients and front-line medical workers. Luo Yang called on more time for physical exercises and Li Jing volunteered to do something for the fight against SARS as far as her capacity allowed.
Hu wrote back to the seven children, saying he felt sorry for the interruption of SARS on their studies. He expressed his gratification for their fortitude at such young ages in the fight against SARS.
Hu said that the epidemic had posed a major challenge to the whole country. In this "war without gun powder", China had not only strengthened the fighting capacity against the disease, but also carried forward the nation's unyielding and studious spirit, Hu said.
He expressed the concerns of the central authorities for children's health and growth, and wished them healthy, happy and making progress in their study.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2003)
