Premier encourages kids to be optimistic

BEIJING - When Duan Zhixiu first met Premier Wen Jiabao on May 24, 2008, just days after she lost a leg during the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province, she was sobbing.

But it was a confident 18-year-old, representing a group of 19 Chinese children delivering a welcome speech to 19 of their South Korean counterparts, that met the premier for a second time in the Zhongnanhai government compound in Beijing on Friday.

After Wen took the teenager by the arm to climb the steps to a meeting hall, Duan said: "All of us must face the future with a brave heart. That is the best way to show gratitude to those who care for us."