Children from Hejiazhuang primary school paint in Hejiazhuang Village of Wangba Township in Kangxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, May 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

BEIJING, May 31  -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has greeted children of all ethnic groups across the country on International Children's Day, which falls on June 1.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on children to study hard, firm up their ideals and convictions and develop strong bodies and minds to prepare for realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Xi noted that children nationwide have experienced a special period during the country's fight against COVID-19 as all Chinese people stand united.