Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the eighth national congress of the Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP), a national mass organization for Chinese children, which opened Thursday in Beijing.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed efforts to foster a new generation of talent and make CYP members well-prepared for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

The CYP plays a role like that of a big school where its members establish lofty aspirations and develop fine characters and various skills, and their love for the CPC, the motherland and the people is nurtured, he noted in the letter.

Xi stressed that in the new era, the CYP should continue to follow the CPC and pass on the traditions of revolution.

The organization is urged to unite, educate and guide its members to be well-prepared for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Xi demanded stronger Party leadership over and greater government and public support for work related to the CYP to create favorable conditions for the health and growth of children in the new era.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening meeting.

Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, read out Xi's letter at the meeting and delivered a speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Sun urged efforts to earnestly study Xi's series of important statements on work related to children and the CYP and thoroughly implement in practical work promoting the healthy growth of children.

The meeting was held via video and telephone links.

Around 2,000 people, including leaders of provincial-level Party committees, principal officials from the Chinese Communist Youth League and education authorities, delegates to the eighth CYP national congress and representatives of CYP members, instructors and workers, attended the meeting.