Chinese mark quake anniversary [video 1 min 02 sec]
Mr Hu was joined by other officials at a memorial ceremony held in Yingxiu, the epicentre of the earthquake.
In a speech at the event, the president said Chinese people had "written a great chapter" with their rescue and reconstruction work.
People across the earthquake-hit areas held their own private ceremonies to mark the loss of loved ones.
Mourners visited ruins and graves, lighting incense to comfort the dead.
The earthquake, which struck Sichuan province on 12 May last year, left nearly 90,000 dead or missing.
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In a speech at the event, the president said Chinese people had "written a great chapter" with their rescue and reconstruction work.
People across the earthquake-hit areas held their own private ceremonies to mark the loss of loved ones.
Mourners visited ruins and graves, lighting incense to comfort the dead.
The earthquake, which struck Sichuan province on 12 May last year, left nearly 90,000 dead or missing.