President tells Chinese students in Moscow to reach for their dreams

President Xi Jinping on Saturday encouraged Chinese students at Lomonosov Moscow State University to be devoted to their country and work hard for their dreams.

Xi’s remarks came in a letter replying to students who sent him a letter expressing their understanding of the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

“I’m glad to read the letter from which I can feel your pride for an increasingly strong motherland as well as the aspiration of Chinese students overseas to serve the country and pursue progress,” Xi said in his letter.

“A nation will prosper only when its young people thrive; a country will be full of hope and have a great tomorrow only when its younger generations have ideals, ability and a strong sense of responsibility. The realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation needs endeavors of young people, generation by generation,” Xi said.

He said he hoped the students would devote what they had learned to the motherland and the people, and “make the light of youth shine on the road of striving for dreams”.

Xi also extended New Year greetings to all Chinese who study overseas.

In 1957, Chairman Mao Zedong met Chinese students in Russia at Moscow University, saying, “The young people ... are like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you.”