Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, with a red scarf -- symbol of the official children's organization the Young Pioneers -- around his neck, salutes back as a student presents him a gift during his visit to Shijia Elementary School in Beijing May 31, 2006 to mark the coming Children's day. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday marked the coming of Children's Day on June 1 with pupils in a Beijing elementary school, where he sent an e-mail greeting to children in Tibet thousands of kilometers away.

    At Shijia Elementary School, Wen was greeted with applause from more than 400 pupils from 10 urban and rural primary schools around Beijing at a celebration with the theme of "Common development for urban and rural regions under one blue sky".

    Ding Yawen, from a school run for migrant workers' children, tied a red scarf -- symbol of the official children's organization the Young Pioneers -- around Wen's neck.

    In the computer class, Wen wrote greetings to pupils at No. 3 Elementary School in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, and sent an e-mail, saying, "Study hard, grow up healthy and contribute to the country."

    Marking the Dragon Boat Festival that fell on Wednesday, Wen made "zongzi" -- traditional glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves -- with the children.

    He watched a show performed by the pupils, and urged them to study hard and prepare for the country's modernization drive.

    "It depends on us and you to achieve modernization and common prosperity of both urban and rural regions. But ultimately, it is up to you." Enditem