Russian state hosts send-off party for quake-affected students from China

Russia's Kemerovo state held a party at a children's recreational center in Novokuznetsk city on Monday to send off 93 visiting students from China's quake-hit Gansu province.

Kemerovo Vice Governor Sergei Muravyov said before the party that the combined efforts of Russia and China have helped make and implement a comprehensive schedule for the rehabilitation of the Chinese children.

 He said he was delighted to see that the children had become much stronger with their stay at the center and had also learned about Russian culture, which will be a life-long memory for them, he believed.

Dan Zhita, the leader of the Chinese recreational group and deputy director of Gansu province's Education Department, expressed gratitude to the Russian people on behalf of China.

Russia has made great efforts to help the quake-hit children. The recreational center was committed to the children's safety, education, food and living conditions. After their 20-day stay, the children seem to have blossomed and taken on a new look, he said.

This program will be a milestone for Sino-Russian ties and further deepen the friendship between the people of the two countries, Dan added.

A total of 93 students from the quake-hit Gansu province have vacationed in Russia since July 18. During this period, the recreational center organized many activities such as mini sports competition, fashion shows, and visits to local companies.

A total of 1,570 students from China's earthquake ravaged regions are scheduled to visit Russia for recreational therapy between 2008 and 2009 at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev.