BEIJING, Jan. 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged all Chinese studying in Germany to use what they have learned to serve the motherland and the Chinese people, while extending holiday greetings to all Chinese who study overseas and their families.

"Your letter has been received. Between the words and lines (of the letter), I feel the patriotism of the Chinese students studying in Germany...and I am very delighted," Xi said in a reply letter dated Jan. 16 to all Chinese studying in Germany ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival.

Xi hoped all Chinese who study overseas to uphold lofty ideal, fulfill their own goals by participating in the Chinese people's endeavor for realizing the Chinese dream, and write excellent chapters that will live up to the times.

He expected all Chinese who study in Germany to put into action their beliefs written in their letter, such as adhering to patriotism, adhering to ideal, adhering to learning, adhering to innovation, and serve the motherland and the Chinese people.

In his letter, Xi also extended sincere greeting to all Chinese who study overseas and their families on the occasion of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of Horse.

Chinese students studying in Germany sent a letter to Xi in a response to the president's speech at the 100th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Western Returned Scholars Association in Beijing, capital of China, on Oct. 21, 2013. They expressed their determinations and confidences in striving to realize their own dreams and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

In the speech, Xi called on overseas-educated talents, whether at home or abroad, to contribute to realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.