Sixty Chinese pupils from quake-hit Sichuan Province were welcomed for a period of rehabilitation at Mongolia's "Nairamdal" International Children's Center in a ceremony on Thursday.

After raising the Chinese national flag, Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Miyeegombo Enkhbold told the ceremony his country welcomed the Chinese pupils with wishes for their happy days in the country.

Yu Hongyao, Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia, said the two neighboring countries had boosted their long-standing bilateral relations.

"This rehabilitation will enrich our relationship and actively support friendship between the two countries for generations," Yu said.

Zou Mingyuan, head of the Chinese pupils' delegation, said the 60 pupils would contribute to consolidating the friendship between the two peoples.

Mongolia's children performed a folk dance and Chinese pupils sang a song of the Qiang nationality during the ceremony.

More than 500 children from Mongolia and other countries attended the ceremony.

The 60 Chinese pupils flew to Mongolia on Thursday for an eight-day recuperation tour at the invitation of the Mongolian government.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2009)