Top Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao, have spent time with children's representatives at a museum in Beijing, to celebrate International Children's Day. They event encourage youngsters to be ambitious and pursue overall development.

 

This is probably one of the best times to be a child in China.

As well as to be with children.

The Chinese president is like a kindly grandfather to the kids. He took a break from heavy state affairs on Monday to join children from home and abroad, at China Science and Technology Museum.

The president's tour is about vision, mission and values.

Figures from China Children and Teenagers' Fund show the country has 360 million children. That's one sixth of the total number in the world. Their rights and wellbeing always mean a great deal to the nation.

Hu Jintao expressed holiday greetings to children of all ethnic groups. He visited several science and technology exhibits, talking with the kids from time to time, and joining them in interactive programs.

While visiting the exhibit about safety education, the president told the children always to protect themselves and help others in case of emergency.

The kids told of their wishes to the president with a painting of the future. 10-year-old Tsering Tendru, a volunteer Tibetan-Mandarin interpreter well-known among Chinese after the Yushu earthquake, has a special wish for his hometown.

Tsering Tendru, 10, said, "I hope to see a better Yushu after the rebuilding."

Chinese President Hu Jintao said, "Your wish is sure to become reality. And tell the people in your hometown about that."

Hu Jintao told the children that they are the driving force of China's development in the future. He hopes they're always ready to contribute their wisdom and strength to the nation's prosperity. He also called for further exchanges between children from home and abroad, to build a better world in the future.