BEIJING -- President Hu Jintao on Saturday urged young Chinese to embrace "patriotism," "diligence," "practice" and "devotion" to rejuvenate the Chinese nation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) talks with teachers and students in a greenhouse during his visit to the China Agricultural University in Beijing, May 2, 2009. [Xinhua]

Young people should courageously shoulder their historic mission and work hard with the whole nation to build socialism with Chinese characteristics, Hu said.

He made the remarks during a visit to Beijing-based China Agricultural University ahead of the Chinese Youth Day, which is Monday.

The day originated from the "May Fourth Movement," a mass student movement in China that began on May 4, 1919. It spearheaded a national campaign to overthrow the feudal society and promote scientific and democratic ideas.

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that in the past 90 years, generations of young Chinese, encouraged by the "May Fourth" spirit which highlights patriotism, progress, democracy and science, have made unremitting efforts in pursuit of the grand goal of rejuvenating the Chinese nation.

"Now, the bright prospect of realizing that goal has dawned before us, and the best way for modern young people to remember the movement and the forerunners is to work persistently with the whole nation for the progress of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics," he said.

The tasks the students shoulder are heavy and their mission is glorious, the president said, encouraging them to uphold patriotism, study diligently, practise what they have learned at school, and dedicate themselves to the society by working hard for the bright future of the country.

"First, I hope you will always uphold the banner of patriotism, as it is the spiritual backbone that has sustained the Chinese nation through all the tribulations."

Hu said that in modern China, the most distinctive theme of patriotism is promoting the socialist modernization through reform and opening-up, building a well-off society and turning the blueprint of rejuvenating the Chinese nation into reality. He urged the students to realize the value of their lives through working for the country and the people.

Secondly, he encouraged the students to study hard to lay a foundation for their future progress in life. "Our country's modernization drive calls for a large number of high-quality professionals, and so long as you study diligently, you will become useful people for the nation's development."

Thirdly, Hu called on the students to put what they've learned at school into social practice and undergo the test of harsh environment. "I hope more students will voluntarily temper themselves at the grassroots level and work at places where the country and people need them most."

He also called for devotion from the young people, urging them not to just seek personal interests but dedicate themselves to the society.

Hu also visited the university's greenhouse and biological labs, praising its contribution to the country's agricultural development.

Concerned with the issue of graduate employment, Hu encouraged the students to voluntarily choose to work at the grassroots level, and told the school to offer better service in helping them find jobs.