CRI听力:Overseas students inspired with President Xi's letter to pursue dreams

Just ahead of the New Year, Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged Chinese students at Lomonosov Moscow State University to be devoted to their country and work hard for their dreams.

Xi Jinping made the suggestion in a letter he penned to the students, who had previously written him to express their understanding of the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.

In his reply letter, President Xi Jinping says he can feel the pride of overseas students for an increasingly strong motherland as well as their aspiration to serve the country and pursue progress.

The Chinese leader says a country will be full of hope and have a great future only when its younger generations have ideals, abilities and a strong sense of responsibility.

Lu Sentong at Moscow State University is the one who wrote the letter to President Xi Jinping.

Pursuing his PhD in law, Lu Sentong says he hopes he can provide legal services to companies involved in Belt and Road projects in the future.

"I'm very excited and proud to receive our president's letter in reply. His encouragement to us overseas students let us feel the central government and the country are very concerned with our group of students. In the report to the 19th CPC National Congress, the president said a nation will prosper only when its young people thrive. This reminds me of what Chairman Mao Zedong once noted: 'The world is yours meantime it's ours; but ultimately it belongs to you youngsters," Lu said.

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

Sixty years later, President Xi Jinping is conveying the same message, saying the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation needs young people, generation by generation.

Zhao Wenjun studies journalism at Moscow State University.

"The students who met with Chairman Mao decades ago at Moscow University have now become the elderly. It's the time we take over the flag passed on by those elder generations. In the current era, we should study diligently and make up our minds to contribute to China's national rejuvenation, making the Chinese dream come true with young generations' efforts," Zhao said.

Wang Yanan at Pushkin State Russian Language Institute says President Xi Jinping's message speaks to all overseas Chinese students.

"The first batch of overseas Chinese students left their homeland a century ago. They traveled to learn how to cure a diseased Chinese nation. Today as the new generation of overseas students, we are sincerely proud of the strong, prosperous country that now supports us," Wang said.

China has the largest number of overseas students in the world.

Stats also suggest a growing number are returning to China to find work.

In 2016, more than 430,000, or around 80 percent of foreign-educated Chinese students, returned to the country.