In this June 1, 2015 photo, President Xi Jinping meets with representatives attending the 7th National Congress of the Chinese Young Pioneers at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping has greeted children of all ethnic groups across the country on International Children's Day, which falls on June 1. 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on children to study hard, firm up their ideals and convictions and develop strong bodies and minds to prepare for realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 

Xi noted that children nationwide have experienced a special period during the country's fight against COVID-19 as all Chinese people stand united. 

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Witnessing the great feats of Chinese people working together and rising to challenges, the children have followed the call of the Party and the government to support the anti-epidemic battle with their concrete actions, demonstrating the fine spirit of the country's children, he said. 

He stressed that China's children today are not only undergoing and witnessing the realization of the country's first centenary goal, they are also a new force for achieving the second centenary goal and building China into a great modern socialist country.

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The Chinese leader urged Party committees and governments at all levels as well as the society to care for children and create favorable conditions for their growth.