TAIYUAN, July 8 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called on young students to strive to be the backbone of the nation, build a strong country and contribute to world peace.

Xi made the remarks during a visit to a memorial hall commemorating the Hundred-Regiment Campaign in Yangquan of north China's Shanxi Province, where he had warm conversations with students and staff on Monday.

"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 laid a floral basket in tribute to the martyrs of the campaign during the visit.

Monday's visit held special significance, as it 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 said.

The CPC was the pillar of the national resistance, said Xi, emphasizing that the Hundred-Regiment Campaign enabled the world to see the strong will and strength of the Party and the Chinese people in the resistance against Japanese aggression.

Xi stressed that China made tremendous sacrifices during the 14-year hard war of resistance. "If the past is not forgotten, it can serve as a guide for the future."