Chinese President Hu Jintao said in a congratulatory letter to the center that the facility has made special contributions to the development of the country's children and teenagers.

Hu hoped the center would keep exploring the rules of children's growth under new situations and contribute more to children's education, health growth and wholesome development.

Premier Wen Jiabao also sent a congratulatory message to the center, encouraging it to make efforts for the children's healthy and happy growth.

Addressing Monday's gathering, Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and president of the All-China Women's Federation, said the center should adopt a more open attitude, keep exploring and innovating so as to become a first-class center for the children.

Founded in August of 1982, the China National Children's Center is a national non-profit organization for children and teenager's after-school education and applied scientific research of children's development. It also serves as a window for China's international exchange on children's work.

The center is sponsored by the All-China Women's Federation.