Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a better sports environment for kids across China after watching some children playing basketball and jumping rope during his visit to a primary school in the capital, Beijing, on Wednesday ahead of 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, extended festival greetings to children across the country while stressing the importance of the all-round development of children. He urged families, schools and society as a whole to create more conditions for the kids to "build up their bodies."

At Beijing Yuying School, Xi emphasized the importance of children's sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility and work skills. He said he hopes the children in the new era could "have their own dream and goal," "be eager to learn knowledge and diligent," and "be kind and innovative."

The Chinese president said he's happy to meet the kids, urging a continuous push on the country's "double reduction" policy, an educational reform policy that limits schoolwork outside of the classroom in China.

Noting that the fundamental task of education is to foster virtue and nurture talent, Xi said the implementation of the "double reduction" policy is a process that requires sustained efforts, and it is important to guide parents, schools and society to better carry out the policy.

Be strong, diligent, innovative

Physical growth comes first for juveniles, Xi said while taking a look at the basketball court, adding that sports and exercise are the most effective means to build up the physique of teenagers and children.

Children are expected to grow stronger physically, rather than becoming chubby, said Xi.

It is imperative to staff schools with sufficient and capable PE teachers, and families, schools and society should create conditions for teenagers and children to improve their physical fitness, he said.

Visiting the students' farm on campus, where students of the school engaged in agricultural practice, Xi urged efforts to guide children to cultivate the awareness of manual labor and develop the habit of working from an early age.

Noting the lack of contact with rural areas and nature of some urban children, Xi told the students that learning about nature starts with learning about the plants around them.

Xi expressed hope for them to become aware of the hardship of farming and the difficulties facing farmers through the study of agriculture, and develop the good habits of loving physical labor, cherishing food and respecting nature from childhood.

Xi also walked into a science class during his visit, where he pointed out the important role of scientific innovation in building a stronger China. He told the kids that they could be "little scientists" at this point and become "senior scientists" when they grow up, expressing hope that they can make contributions to achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology in China.

Mentors of young talents

He also met with the teachers at the school, speaking highly of their roles as mentors of young talents. Xi said he hopes to see more and more fine teachers coming out and making the job title respectable in society. 

Xi stressed the importance of cultural confidence, saying that Chinese educators should continue to promote their own strengths while learning from the great aspects of the overseas education systems to make sure kids have "broad horizons" and "open minds."

Xi also encouraged all teachers to foster a high sense of morality. He stressed that respect for teachers should be fostered among the public and that the profession of teaching should be made a most revered and admired one in society.

Today's children will be the main force in the future to carry forward the cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, he told the students.

"To realize the goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century, my generation is working hard now, and in the future you should carry on our cause," he said.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with children during a school visit ahead of International Children's Day, Beijing, China, May 31, 2023. /Xinhua)