President Xi Jinping has called on young students to strive to be the backbone of the nation, build a strong country and contribute to world peace, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Xi, who's also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during a visit to a memorial hall commemorating the Hundred-Regiment Campaign in Yangquan in Shanxi province.

"The hope is reposed in you and the future belongs to you," Xi said, urging the young students to work hard, forge ahead and be upright and proud of their Chinese identity.

The Hundred-Regiment Campaign took place in northern China from August 1940 to January 1941 during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Xi on Monday laid a floral basket in tribute to the martyrs of the campaign during the visit.

The visit coincided with the anniversary of the July 7th Incident, also known as the Lugou Bridge Incident, which occurred in 1937 and marked the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression.

Xi also inspected a valve manufacturing company in Yangquan where he learned about Shanxi's efforts to promote the transformation and upgrade of industries and high-quality development.