A few days later, Xi replied to their letter, in which he said he still remembered having a chat with the school's teachers and students during his 2009 visit.

Xi said he wanted to give the students a thumbs-up for their efforts in learning the Chinese language and for their contributions to the China-Hungary friendship.

He said both China and Hungary have a long history and a rich culture, and the people of both countries enjoy traditional friendship and close cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Xi said the students are welcome to study at Chinese universities after graduation from high school.

Xi hopes more Hungarian youths would love and study the Chinese language, have an opportunity to travel around China to learn more about the country and its history and culture, and strive to become envoys to develop the China-Hungary friendship.

"Imre and I decided to write to Grandpa Xi to express our gratitude and convey our Spring Festival greetings," Varga told the media after receiving Xi's reply.

The two students won the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship in January last year.

"Our dream is to be a translator. This letter will encourage us to continue working hard to study Chinese and become an excellent translator," Varga said.

Erdelyi, the principal, told China Daily that both students and teachers were overjoyed upon receiving President Xi's letter.

She said no one expected Xi to reply so soon since he has such a busy schedule.

"It's such a great encouragement," she said.

"It shows President Xi's care for the school and the importance he attaches to the Hungarian-Chinese ties."