Remarks at the Farewell Reception for Zambian Students under 2018 Chinese Government Scholarship Program

2018-08-22 20:00

Mr. Mabvuto Sakala, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Higher Education,

Ms. Penelope Mapoma, Chairperson of the Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board,

Chinese Scholarship Recipients and their family members,

Representatives from University of Zambia and other institutions and schools

Members of the Zambia China Students Association,

Distinguished Guests,

Friends from the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Today we are very happy to get together to bid farewell to the excellent Zambian students who have been awarded the 2018 Chinese Government Scholarships. Let me, first of all, extend my warm congratulations to the recipients and their families. I know you all have worked hard at schools, and your talent, diligence and support from your families have been adequately rewarded.

It is also a great opportunity to welcome the recipients who have already finished their studies in China and come back to Zambia. Thank you for your positive contribution to the China-Zambia friendship.

I also wish to take this opportunity to thank our friends of the Zambian Government, especially for the excellent work of the Ministry of Higher Education and Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board. With your efforts, we are able to recommend and select the best qualified students who are here today. Thank you for the job well done.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Education is one of the most important areas of cooperation between China and Zambia. At present, nearly 4,000 Zambian students are studying in China, and China has become the favorite destination for Zambian young people to study overseas. The Chinese side welcomes the Zambian students to pursue education in China. By now the Chinese government has provided over 900 government scholarships to Zambian students. And this year, I am glad to let you know that 69 Zambian students have been accepted by the Chinese universities under various scholarship programs, including 33 Zambian students under Chinese Government Scholarship program, 9 Zambian students under Youth of Excellence Scheme of China (YES CHINA) Master Program, 27 Zambian students under economy, military, and the Confucius Institute Scholarship Programs.

In addition to the scholarship programs, the Chinese side is also strengthening human resources training to the Zambians, by providing a large number of training opportunities to Zambia each year. For the past 3 years, about 2,200 Zambians including civil servants, professional technicians, scholars, entrepreneurs, and media workers have been to China to participate in various types of training. This year the number would reach 920. To support the general education of Zambia, China has provided assistance for the construction of primary schools in the rural areas across Zambia, and donated equipment to Zambian schools. With the joint efforts of China and Zambia, the Confucius Institute of the University of Zambia keeps promoting the teaching and learning of the Chinese language and introducing Chinese culture to the Zambian people since its establishment in 2010. More than 10,000 Zambians have learned Chinese through the Confucius Institute and its classes. It has become an important platform for promoting China-Zambia cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Scholarship students, you will soon embark on a journey to study in China and begin a journey of new life. Some of you will study medicine, agronomy, architecture, information technology, and some of you will study diplomacy, foreign trade, as well as Chinese, etc. Many of you have opportunities to study at the prestigious Chinese universities such as Peking University and Tsinghua University, where Chinese students are also dreaming of. I believe that you will cherish the opportunity and study very hard. After you have completed your studies, you will apply what you have learned to practical work and make positive contributions to the economic and social development of your home country of Zambia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In two weeks’ time, H.E. President Edgar Lungu will attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The FOCAC Beijing Summit is under the theme of "win-win cooperation and join hands to build a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa". The Chinese side and the African side will endeavor to synergize the theme of the Summit with the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, the Agenda 2063 of the African Union as well as the development strategies of various African countries such as the Seventh National Development Plan of Zambia, to chart a new blueprint for win-win cooperation and open up new prospects for common development.

I believe that, the FOCAC Beijing Summit will definitely provide new opportunities for China-Zambia practical cooperation, including the cooperation on education and training. This will increase the opportunities for the young generation of Zambia to study and receive training in China. It will also provide a broader space for the returned Zambian students from China to put their talents to practice. China is willing to embrace and welcome more Zambian students.

May I suggest a toast,

To the China-Zambia educational exchanges and cooperation,

To the long-lasting friendship between China and Zambia,

Cheers!

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA All RIGHTS RESERVED