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A MEETING with the Chinese President may not be a once in a lifetime experience for a group of Launceston students, with Xi Jinping personally inviting them to visit his homeland.
Mr Xi and his wife Madame Peng Liyuan spoke with grade 5 pupils from Scotch Oakburn College during their whirlwind visit to the state yesterday, inviting them to ‘‘play and study’’ in China.
The class wrote to Mr Xi as part of their studies, urging him to visit the state.
The leader was so impressed with the letters that he arranged to meet them at Government House in Hobart, after mentioning the class in an address to Federal Parliament on Monday.
Watched by a press pack of about 100 Chinese and domestic media representatives, the pupils stayed cool, calm and collected.
They welcomed the powerful pair in Mandarin and helped them plant a Yulan magnolia with Lieutenant-Governor Alan Blow.
Principal Andy Muller said a lot of background work went into the visit to Hobart – and extra Mandarin lessons.
‘‘I think they did a magnificent job,’’ Mr Muller said.
‘‘They were very excited but I think they held it together really well.’’
Pupil Chloe Edwards, 11, got to shake hands with Mr Xi and said she felt honoured to meet him.
‘‘It was really exciting, we were all really excited and a bit nervous,’’ Chloe said.
‘‘I’d love to go to China some time, I’ve heard all about the Great Wall of China,’’ she said.
