Children's Day in Zhongnanhai

June 1 was International Children's Day, and to mark the occasion, nearly 100 pupils from China's 56 ethnic groups spent their festival at Zhongnanhai, headquarters for the central government. All of the youngsters were the special guests of Premier Wen Jiabao.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) leads the children for a tour of the  Zhongnanhai leadership compound during a celebration of the  International Children's Day in Beijing, capital of China, June 1,  2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

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On their way to welcome new visitors, except this time, they aren't officials, but young kids.

A few days ago, these children all sent letters to the Premier, asking for permission to visit the central government's headquarters on children's day. Today, their wishes came true.

Wen Jiabao showed his special guests the place where China's late Premier, Zhou Enlai, once worked and lived.

The children were excited, and they wrote their feelings on a board, each in the particular language of his or her own ethnicity.

Naturally, songs and dances were part of the celebration.

Wen Jiabao said it was his first time to spend children's day with kids from the 56 ethnicities. He hoped all the kids would build friendships from this gathering, and treat each other as one big family.

Premier Wen Jiabao said, "I hope you can understand love, and cherish love. Love your parents, love your country. Study hard and stay united. In this way we can build a good family, and a strong country. "

One child was from earthquake-stricken Sichuan province. She said she had seen the Premier three times before in her hometown as Wen Jiabao inspected the relief and reconstruction work. Since then, she has resumed her studies in a newly-built school. Wen Jiabao asked her to extend his greetings to all of her friends when she returns home.

The young guests gave Wen Jiabao a book written in ethnic minority languages, and a hand-made gift symbolizing good fortune. Wen Jiabao gave everyone a dictionary with his signature, and books of classical literature. He encouraged the kids to study hard, and contribute to the country's future development.