Hu thanks US pupils for helping quake-hit kids

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 yesterday, 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.