BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the ninth national congress of the Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP), a national organization for children. The congress opened on Tuesday in Beijing.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed in the letter that the CYP should follow the Party and cultivate qualified builders for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

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As International Children's Day approaches, Xi extended his greetings to children across the country. He said children represent the future force in building a strong nation and rejuvenating the Chinese nation.

He urged the CYP to educate and guide its members to become exemplary young people of the new era who love the Party and the country, and are diligent in their studies and well-rounded in their development.

Xi called for creating a favorable environment for the children's healthy growth.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening meeting of the congress.

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Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, read out Xi's letter at the meeting and delivered a speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. He urged CYP members to keep Xi's teachings in mind and stay prepared to contribute to the great cause of building a strong nation and revitalizing the Chinese nation.

Approximately 3,000 people attended the meeting.