Happy Children´s Day, Chinese president says to quake-affected kids

NINGQIANG, Shaanxi, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao wished quake-affected kids a happy holiday ahead of Children's Day in northwestern Shaanxi Province, also heavily hit by the May 12 earthquake.

On Saturday morning, Hu arrived at Ningqiang county, neighboring to worst-hit Sichuan Province.

A magnitude 5.7 aftershock hit Ningqiang around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, leaving at least one injured, 860 houses destroyed and 3,100 damaged, adding up the damages.

Almost all the 340,000 locals in Ningqiang County were urged to live outdoors amid fear of possible aftershocks.

At Jinshansi village, almost all houses were flattened and villagers were living in tents for days.

As the Children's Day falls on Sunday, Hu went into a tent school in the village to condole the kids suffering from the quake.

"Today you have to study in the tent. But I promise you to help you build a new school. You will be sure to have a better classroom," he said after children stood up together and greeted him.

Then the President picked up a chalk, wrote 16 Chinese characters on the chalkboard and recited them together with the kids, "One in trouble, all to help; Rely on ourselves and work hard."

"When we rebuild our hometown, we should stick to this two sorts of spirits," Hu said.

"Many children are very brave and strong in front of the major earthquake. I have learned from you and see the hope of the quake-hit regions and the whole country. I believe you will strive to become stronger and work hard in the future," he said.

Hu wished the kids a happy holiday and handed around gifts to them.