MANOSQUE, France -- President Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from teachers and students of the Chinese language class at the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur International School in France, extending his best wishes to them as well as all the teachers and students of the school.

Learning Chinese not only helps one understand an ancient yet modern China, but also helps build a bridge to a brighter future for China and France, Xi said in the letter, which greatly inspired the teachers and students.

In interviews with Xinhua, many expressed their gratitude to Xi, saying the letter has strengthened their motivation to learn Chinese well and to promote friendship and cooperation between China and France, as well as between China and Europe.