Xi Focus: Nurturing, encouraging China's children

"A little bit stronger"

Xi believes that children's health and fitness are no trivial matter, noting that "when the young people are strong, the country will be strong."

One child-health problem that has weighed on Xi's mind is myopia. During a visit to a primary school in Shaanxi Province in 2020, Xi stressed the importance of protecting the eyesight of children when he noticed some students wearing glasses.

He also called for greater efforts to build up children's physical strength via sports and exercise.

During his visit to Germany in March 2014, Xi cheered on a group of young Chinese footballers playing a friendly match against local players.

"I have confidence in you, in your generation," Xi said to the 20 kids who were being trained in Berlin. "I hope you will grow up to be outstanding football players."

In February 2017, at the Wukesong Sports Center in Beijing, Xi bent over and greeted a young hockey player in a special way -- bumping the boy's shoulder with his own.

"Grow a little bit stronger, young man," Xi said to him with a smile.