Various children of ethnic minorities joyfully gather in Sigang Primary School on May 31 to share their distinctive food from home for Children's Day. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

Various children of ethnic minorities joyfully gathered in Sigang Primary School on May 31 to share their distinctive food from home for Children's Day.

Dressed up in their traditional ethnic clothes, these children, though from all over the country, burst out into laughter without any difficulty in communication. Various kinds of specialties, including bamboo-tube cooked rice, deep-fried dough cake, dunk rice, pie and pickles were sampled and on display.

Following the food gala came the folk dance performance. Wang Jianxin from the Zhuang ethnic group displayed the vigorous dance "Folk Song is Like Spring River", winning high praise from his buddies. The song always reminds him of his hometown, said the boy.

Sigang Primary School has 2,291 students, 78 percent of which are new citizens (who moved to the city from their hometowns), including many ethnic minorities. The school respects their culture and customs, for example allowing necklaces and bracelets for Miao children.

In class, children of minority groups introduced the specialties and customs of their hometown. A national gallery was also set up in the school demonstrating the distribution of minorities and their group photos.

"We wish that children of ethnic minorities can have a good exchange on national culture and enhance national pride," said Chen Weidong, the school principal.