Representatives of Chinese students studying in Germany expressed their determination to use what they have learned to serve the motherland, as they were exchanging their feelings about Chinese President Xi Jinping's letter to all Chinese studying in Germany at a forum on Sunday.

Chinese Ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde attended the forum and said Xi's letter shows the motherland is caring about overseas Chinese students.

Shi said the sound development of China-Germany relations and bilateral cooperation has created good opportunities for Chinese students. He hoped they would adopt a down-to-earth attitude to study and learn skills in order to make contributions to the development of their home country.

In a lively exchange at the forum, dozens of Chinese students expressed their feelings after reading the president's letter, saying they were very much encouraged by it, which provides a very good guide to their future live planning.

The students said they would cherish the opportunity to study abroad and also voiced their stronger determinations in serving the motherland and the Chinese people by bringing advanced technology and experience they have learned back to China.

In a reply letter dated January 16 to all Chinese studying in Germany, Xi expressed hope that they would put into action their beliefs written in their letter, such as adhering to patriotism, adhering to ideal, adhering to learning, adhering to innovation, and serve the motherland and the Chinese people.

Xi expected all Chinese who study overseas to uphold lofty ideal, fulfill their own goals by participating in the Chinese people's endeavor for realizing the Chinese dream, and write excellent chapters that will live up to the times. He also extended sincere greeting to them and their families on the occasion of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of Horse.

Chinese students studying in Germany sent a letter to Xi in a response to the president's speech at the 100th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Western Returned Scholars Association in Beijing, capital of China, on Oct. 21, 2013. They expressed their determinations and confidences in striving to realize their own dreams and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

In the speech, Xi called on overseas-educated talents, whether at home or abroad, to contribute to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

It has been more than 100 years since China began to send students and scholars to study abroad. They have made great contributions to the development of China.

In 1978, China expanded the number of students sent to study abroad. By the end of 2012, 2.64 million had been sent abroad, among whom 1.09 million returned.