BEIJING, July 17 -- Hundreds of children affected by last year's earthquake in southwest China are heading to Russia for a three week vacation.

    But before their trip July 23rd, the provincial education bureau said Wednesday, the kids will go through a series of cultural classes to learn the Russian language and ettiquette.

    SOUNDBITE Cheng Congcong, student from Ningqiang Nanjie Elementary School, said, "I am very happy because this is helpful to us children in the quake-hit area. I am also thankful to those who help me."

    550 children, from Shaanxi, Sichuan and Gansu provinces, were chosen for the trip because of outstanding behavior during the earthquake and their current performance at school.

    They will spend their time at a children's center in Vladivostok and will partake in cultural events.

    SOUNDBITE Students attending the camp (In Russian) said, "We love China. We love Russia."

    According to the International Cooperation and Exchange Department of the Ministry of Education, more than 1,500 Chinese children from quake-hit regions have been invited to Russian.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xi'an.

(Source:  XHTV)