By Michael Bristow
BBC News, Beijing
**The first batch of British school pupils quarantined in China after members of their group contracted swine flu has been released.**A total of 21 students and two teachers were allowed to leave Yanxiang Hotel after seven days of restrictions.
They were under observation after a number of students on a tour of China fell ill with the virus.
The released pupils were taken to another hotel in Beijing from where they will continue their visit.
George Edge, 14, from the Central Foundation Boys’ School in Islington, London, said: "I am just really glad to be out.
“Hopefully, we can finish our trip on a high and do all the things we planned.”
Ian Tyrell, a teacher, added: “We feel relieved and are looking forward to enjoying the rest of our time in China.”
Cultural exchange
More than 80 British school pupils and teachers remain in quarantine in the Yanxiang Hotel, along with a number from the US.
Nine British school pupils have so far been diagnosed with swine flu in Beijing, according to Chinese health officials.
Nine US teenagers are also being treated in hospital after contracting the virus.
None of the children is thought to be seriously ill.
China has this year quarantined hundreds of foreign visitors who have shown symptoms of swine flu.
More than 600 Britons are on the two-week cultural exchange trip, organised by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the British Council and Chinese organisation Hanban.