Scientifically understanding the laws of disasters, effectively reducing disaster risks, and achieving a harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature requires the joint efforts of the international community, Xi said in the letter.

He called on the conference deputies to actively participate in the seminar with the theme "Living with Seismic Risk" and contribute to the promotion of international cooperation in disaster reduction, reducing the risk of natural disasters and building a community with a shared future for humankind.

At 2:18 pm on May 12, 2008, the magnitude 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake with an epicenter in Yingxiu occurred, killing 69,226 people and leaving 17,923 unaccounted for and 374,643 wounded.

Many students in Yingxiu were young but still remember the earthquake.

Wu Jikun, a 14-year-old student of the Qiang ethnic group in Yingxiu Middle School, was in a kindergarten when the quake took place.

"There was a lot of ash from the quake and my mother's legs were broken. She has to walk with two crutches," he said.

His classmate Hu Yunlong is also 14. The Tibetan boy was buried in the rubble of his home. "I was pulled out of the rubble but my 10-year-old brother perished in Yingxiu Primary School," he said.