Full coverage: China’s Leaders

China is celebrating Teachers Day today. President Xi Jinping marked the event by visiting his childhood school to honor teachers and to chart the course of education in the country.

Xi traveled to the Beijing Bayi School, where he attended elementary and secondary school classes. The school shared some old photographs of the Chinese president as a student.

Xi also called for better basic education throughout China. He urged teachers to produce students contributing to the course of Party construction and country prosperity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (1st L) talks to elder teachers during an inspection visit to Beijing Bayi School before the upcoming national Teacher's Day in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping watches a football training session during an inspection visit to Beijing Bayi School before the upcoming national Teacher's Day in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) talks to teachers during an inspection visit to Beijing Bayi School before the upcoming national Teacher's Day in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (1st R) shakes hands with representatives of teachers and students during an inspection visit to Beijing Bayi School before the upcoming national Teacher's Day in Beijing, Sept. 9, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)