China´s president asks students to embrace "patriotism, diligence"

Source: Xinhua | 05-03-2009 07:54

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao on Saturday urged young Chinese to embrace "patriotism," "diligence," "practice" and "devotion" to rejuvenate the Chinese nation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (front) waves to teachers and students in the China Agricultural University, in Beijing, May 2, 2009. President Hu Jintao on Saturday urged young Chinese to embrace "patriotism," "diligence," "practice" and "devotion" to rejuvenate the Chinese nation. (Xinhua Photo)

Young people should courageously shoulder their historic mission and work hard with the whole nation to build socialism with Chinese characteristics, Hu said.

He made the remarks during a visit to Beijing-based China Agricultural University ahead of the Chinese Youth Day, which is Monday.

The day originated from the "May Fourth Movement," a mass student movement in China that began on May 4, 1919. It spearheaded a national campaign to overthrow the feudal society and promote scientific and democratic ideas.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that in the past 90 years, generations of young Chinese, encouraged by the "May Fourth" spirit which highlights patriotism, progress, democracy and science, have made unremitting efforts in pursuit of the grand goal of rejuvenating the Chinese nation.