BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the education of talented individuals to contribute to the country's unity and development.

Xi was responding to 1,800 students from 50 ethnic groups in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on Oct 1 after he received a letter from a middle school affiliated to the Minzu University of China, a leading institution for ethnic minority students.

Established in 1913, the school celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday.

As the only school in China open to all the ethnic minority groups, the school has nurtured talent which has made great contributions to people's liberation, national development, ethnic solidarity and people's benefits, Xi said.

He hoped the school would continue its glorious tradition of cultivating contributors and successors of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He also encouraged students to grow up to become the backbone of the country.

Premier Li Keqiang also made remarks, calling for the school to continue its tradition of patriotism, unity and contribution and educate more talent for the cause of national unity and China's modernization drive.