WHEN a class of grade 5 pupils at Scotch Oakburn College wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, they didn't expect a reply. But the leader of the world's largest nation sat down with his wife Madam Peng Liyuan and read each individual letter before penning a considered response. Today, 21 pupils from the Launceston school have been invited to meet Mr Xi and Madam Peng when they visit Hobart today. Mr Xi yesterday paid tribute to the pupils in an address to a joint sitting of Federal Parliament. "In their letter they describe Tasmania's unique products and beautiful sceneries and they wrote the letter in Chinese," Mr Xi said. "They mentioned in particular the Tahune Airwalk and the Cataract Gorge and, of course, the Tasmanian devil," he said. "They also wrote in the letter if I go to the Gorge I could come across beautiful peacock feathers. "Their words have filled me with curiosity," he said. Mr Xi said he looked forward to meeting the children. Teacher Katie Marson said the pupils, who had been learning Mandarin, drafted letters convincing Mr Xi to visit the state. "We didn't expect to get anything in return," Mrs Marson said. "We didn't think we'd ever meet the president." The pupils will be presented with the original letter sent to them from Mr Xi and Madam Peng at Government House. Pupils Lucy Chesterman and Theo Wolfhagen will then join the pair to plant a tree. Mrs Marson said the pupils had been practising their Mandarin for the occasion. "The message is, if you do positive things you just never know what will come of it," Mrs Marson said. "It was a fun idea to start with, now it's a dream come true. They are being extremely humble."
Grade 5 Scotch Oakburn pupils Lucy Chesterman and Theo Wolfhagen will plant a tree with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hobart today.
WHEN a class of grade 5 pupils at Scotch Oakburn College wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, they didn't expect a reply.
But the leader of the world's largest nation sat down with his wife Madam Peng Liyuan and read each individual letter before penning a considered response.
Today, 21 pupils from the Launceston school have been invited to meet Mr Xi and Madam Peng when they visit Hobart today.
Mr Xi yesterday paid tribute to the pupils in an address to a joint sitting of Federal Parliament.
"In their letter they describe Tasmania's unique products and beautiful sceneries and they wrote the letter in Chinese," Mr Xi said.
"They mentioned in particular the Tahune Airwalk and the Cataract Gorge and, of course, the Tasmanian devil," he said.
"They also wrote in the letter if I go to the Gorge I could come across beautiful peacock feathers.
"Their words have filled me with curiosity," he said.
Mr Xi said he looked forward to meeting the children.
Teacher Katie Marson said the pupils, who had been learning Mandarin, drafted letters convincing Mr Xi to visit the state.
"We didn't expect to get anything in return," Mrs Marson said.
"We didn't think we'd ever meet the president."
The pupils will be presented with the original letter sent to them from Mr Xi and Madam Peng at Government House.
Pupils Lucy Chesterman and Theo Wolfhagen will then join the pair to plant a tree.
Mrs Marson said the pupils had been practising their Mandarin for the occasion.
"The message is, if you do positive things you just never know what will come of it," Mrs Marson said.
"It was a fun idea to start with, now it's a dream come true. They are being extremely humble."
