Hu thanks US pupils for helping quake-hit kids

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-01 07:52

President Hu Jintao has written back to a group of students in the US, thanking them for their donation to help children in the earthquake-hit Sichuan province.

In the letter released on July 31, 2008, Hu says: "People of the US and many other countries offered us valuable support and assistance and we are deeply touched by their friendship."

Led by music director Andrew Soucy, 345 students of Londonderry High School Marching Band, New Hampshire, performed in China from June 20 to 27 to express their support for the Beijing Olympic Games.

On June 25, the students wrote to Hu, mourning the deaths of people in the Sichuan quake and sympathizing for the loss of property.

They donated $2,008, too, to help elementary and secondary school students in the quake-affected areas.

Their letter reads: "We firmly believe that there is no boundary that limits our sharing of friendship and mutual support. Whether we are American or Chinese, we are the hope of tomorrow and together we will work to build a bright future for our world."

In his letter dated July 27, Hu says: "Young people represent the future of a country and the future of the world. Mutual understanding and friendship between the young people of China and the US is an important foundation for good relations between our two countries."

The Beijing Games, Hu says, is "a long cherished dream of the Chinese people" and an aspiration shared by people around the world.

In just days, "the Chinese people will share the joy of this grand event with people of other countries and let the vision of 'one world, one dream' become our common pursuit."

Hu has urged the young people of China and the US to "strengthen exchanges, learn from each other, increase friendship and make greater contribution to promoting friendly relations between China and the US and to creating an even better tomorrow for the world".

China Daily