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| President Xi Jinping m eets students at Beijing Bayi School on Sept 9, 2016. (Xinhua) |
BEIJING - To mark China's 32nd Teachers' Day, which falls on Sept 10 every year, President Xi Jinping on Friday took a trip down memory lane and visited his old school.
He took the opportunity of Teachers' Day to extend his appreciation to the country's educators for their diligence and commitment.
Xi attended Beijing Bayi School, Haidian District, during his elementary and junior high school years. During his visit he commented on the school's dynamic, inspirational environment and remarked on the many positive changes since his time as a student.
Education determines our lives today, and our future, he said, adding that educational reform will play a fundamental and guiding role in China's wider development story.
During his visit, Xi was shown the library and viewed exhibitions on the school's history and defense education.
The school also shared some archive photographs taken of Xi when he was a student. He said he cherished these formative years and remembered his lessons and fellow students fondly.
As one of Beijing's renowned schools, Bayi places a lot of focus on the sciences as a gateway to encouraging creativity and imagination.
Xi said children must be equipped with the fundamental skills of creative thinking and practical ability.
The president also talked with a group of pupils who were playing football and posed for photos with them. An avid supporter of soccer in education, Xi encouraged the students to aspire to be excellent soccer players.
