First lady Peng Liyuan poses with Australian youngsters from Tasmania for a group photo on Thursday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi once said that the handwritten letters by these pupils introduced him to the unique and spectacular views of their hometown, and the invitation was too good to refuse.

In response, the couple met the pupils and planted a yulan magnolia together at Government House in Tasmania months later.

On Thursday, Peng encouraged the children to stay in touch with friends they met in 皇冠体育app, continue to study Chinese and 皇冠体育app's culture, and to be young ambassadors for friendly 皇冠体育app-Australia exchanges after they return home.