Chinese President writes back to thank U.S. students' support to Olympics and quake relief

Chinese President Hu Jintao has written back to students of a U.S. high school to thank them for their "heartfelt" condolences and sympathy to victims and survivors in China's May 12 earthquake.

"Thank you for your heartfelt condolences to people affected by the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, China and for your sincere donation to children in the quake zone," Hu said in his letter dated July 27 to the students of the Marching Band of the Londonderry High School in New Hampshire of the United States.

He said he has read the letter from the students carefully and was moved by the warm and kind feelings expressed in the letter.

A total of 345 students of the Londonderry High School Marching Band performed in China from June 20 to 27 to express their support for the Beijing Olympics, and on June 25, the students wrote a letter to President Hu, expressing their sorrow and condolences to the people in Sichuan for the loss of lives and properties.

The students also offered 2,008 U.S. dollars to help quake-affected students.

Hu said he is confident that with the joint efforts of all the Chinese people and strong support of the international community, people in the quake-hit areas will rebuild their homes at an early date.

He said to stage a successful Olympic Games is a long cherished dream of the Chinese people and also an aspiration shared by people around the world, and the Chinese people will share the joy of this grand event with people of other countries.

"Young people represent the future of a country and the future of the world," said Hu. "I hope the young friends of China and the United States will strengthen exchanges, learn from each other, increase friendship and make greater contribution to promoting the friendly relations between China and the United States and to creating an even better tomorrow for the world."

近日，中国国家主席胡锦涛给美国伦敦德里中学行进乐团学生回信，感谢他们对四川汶川地震灾区人民的诚挚慰问和给予灾区孩子们的真诚捐助；希望中美青年加强交流、相互学习、增进友谊，为促进两国的友好关系，为创造世界更加美好的明天作出更大贡献。

回信全文如下：

安德鲁·苏席先生和美国伦敦德里中学行进乐团学生访问团各位同学：

我认真阅读了你们的来信，被你们的热情和善良所打动。感谢你们对中国四川汶川地震灾区人民的诚挚慰问和给予灾区孩子们的真诚捐助。

正如你们所知道的，这场地震灾害夺去了许多人的宝贵生命，造成了极为严重的损失。面对灾难，中国政府和人民众志成城、奋勇抗灾，表现出不屈不挠的英勇气概，涌现出许许多多和你们一样年龄的抗震救灾小英雄。美国和世界各国人民向中国人民提供了宝贵支持和援助，令中国人民备受感动。目前，中国抗震救灾已经取得了阶段性胜利，恢复重建工作正在逐步展开。我坚信，在中国人民的共同努力下，在国际社会的大力支持下，灾区人民一定能够早日重建家园。

师生们这次中国之行，还带来了对北京奥运会的祝福。举办一届成功的奥运会是中国人民的百年梦想，也是全世界人民的共同心愿。再过12天，我们将迎来这一激动人心的时刻。中国人民将同世界各国人民分享这一盛会带来的欢乐，让“同一个世界，同一个梦想”成为我们共同的心声。

青年是国家的未来，是世界的未来，中美青年之间的相互了解和友谊是两国良好关系的重要基础。希望中美青年朋友们加强交流、相互学习、增进友谊，为促进两国的友好关系，为创造世界更加美好的明天作出更大贡献。

我衷心祝愿同学们学习进步、身体健康、生活幸福，并请转达我对你们的老师和父母的亲切问候！

　　                                                                                                  中华人民共和国主席 胡锦涛

　　                                                                                                  2008年7月27日于北京

6月20日至27日，美国新罕布什尔州伦敦德里中学行进乐团345名学生在音乐指挥安德鲁·苏席的率领下，来到中国演出、交流，表达对北京奥运会的支持。6月25日，乐团学生致信中国国家主席胡锦涛，对四川汶川地震给灾区人民造成的生命和财产损失表示忧伤和慰问，并捐献2008美元帮助灾区的中小学生。学生们在信中表示，我们坚信，友情和互助没有界限。无论我们是美国人还是中国人，都是明天的希望。让我们携起手来，为共同的世界创造光明的未来。