The 364 students from China's quake-hit southwest province of Sichuan, who are on holiday in Russia at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev, are having a very good time and convalescing very well, the head of their delegation said on Monday.

The students are recuperating well at "Ocean," a children's center in the area, said delegation head Yang Guiren.

Yang, who is also a senior Chinese Education Ministry official, said the students are participating in activities like swimming, roller skating and basketball, which have improved their health considerably.

The students take part in all kinds of collective activities at "Ocean," they sing and dance with their Russian teachers, and are very happy and optimistic, Yang told Xinhua.

Some 1,000 students from China's quake-affected provinces have arrived in Russia since July 17 for three-week rehabilitation programs.

During his visit to China in May, Medvedev invited students from the quake-hit areas to spend some time in his country for rehabilitation.

Under the plan, a total of 1,570 Chinese children will visit Russia between 2008 and 2009.

A devastating earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale hit China's southwest region on May 12, leaving about 70,000 people dead and 374,000 injured, with 18,000 still reported missing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)