Special report: Reconstruction After Earthquake    

    NOVOKUZNETSK, Russia, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Kemerovo state held a ceremony on Friday to welcome 93 Chinese students from China's quake-hit Gansu province.

    The ceremony was held at a children's recreational center in Novokuznetsk city, a large coal-mining city in Western Siberia's Kemerovo state.

    Vice Governor of Kemerovo state Sergei Muravyov said the state has arranged colorful programs for the children, including entertainment, sightseeing, coal mine visiting and sports.

    Another Russian official said Russian President Dmitry Medvedevhas attached great importance to recreational programs mapped out for quake-affected Chinese students and cared for them a lot.

    Dan Zhita, an official from Gansu province, briefly introduced the devastating quake on May 12, which killed over 69,000 people in Sichuan and Gansu provinces, and gave general information about Gansu province.

    He said the 93 students surely can overcome psychological shocks brought by the disaster after recreation and relaxation in Kemerovo state.

    The students, together with 10 Chinese organizers, teachers and interpreters, arrived in the state on Thursday midday and were welcomed by Governor Aman Tuleyev at the airport.

    The children traveled to Russia at the invitation of Medvedev, who, during his visit to China in May, offered to host children from China's quake-affected areas for rehabilitation.

    Under the plan, a total of 1,570 Chinese children will visit Russia during 2008 and 2009.