——Remarks by Ambassador Fei Mingxing
at the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Awarding Ceremony at NUS
(Wednesday 3 March 2024, NUS)
Professor Patila Amosa, Vice Chancellor and President of NUS
Dear teachers, students and parents,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Talofa lava. 大家晚上好！
I am delighted to be at the National University of Samoa (NUS). I’ve got two Congratulations, two Scholarships and one message to share with you tonight.
My first Congratulations goes to NUS on its 40th anniversary. It’s my first time at NUS today, yet NUS is no stranger to me. I attended its celebration event in front of the Government building on 14 Feb. The Chinese Embassy posted its congratulatory message on Facebook the same day, with the picture of the Happy 40th cake, beautiful and sweet.
Starting with 45 students for their preparatory years in 1984, NUS has made itself a university of significance to Samoa and the region, of which we all are proud.
I am also pleased to note its cooperation with Chinese partners including Liaocheng University has been growing strong. The Confucius Institute at NUS, in its 6th year, has trained over 1100 students, playing an increasingly important role in bridging the understanding of China and Samoa.
My 2nd Congratulations goes to all 18 awardees of “Chinese Ambassador Scholarship” . You are outstanding in your academic achievements, social practice, innovative ability and comprehensive quality. Shall we give them a round of applause?
The 1st Scholarship is the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship. It was launched in June 2022, jointly with NUS. It is the fourth edition of the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship awarding ceremony today. I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Patila Amosa and the amazing team at NUS, for your unwavering effort in implementing the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship program.
The 2nd Scholarship is the Chinese Government Scholarship. The youth is the future. As a Chinese saying goes, “If the young people are strong, the country will be strong.” Prime Minister Naomi Mata’afaa said, “good youth of today paves a way for better tomorrow”.
Since 1982, the Chinese government has been annually providing scholarships to Samoa. Currently, 44 Samoan students are studying in China, and dozens more have lodged their applications for the coming academic year.
The Chinese Ambassador Scholarship is for NUS students only, while the Chinese Government Scholarship is open to all Samoan youth.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Early this week, the “two sessions” of China’s top legislature the National People's Congress and the top advisory body the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference concluded with a success.
During the “two sessions”, China, the 2nd largest economy in the world, set its GDP growth target for this year at around 5%, sending positive signals, conveying confidence in development, and bringing out "Chinese opportunities" for the world.
"The pursuit of progress is the most precious quality of youth," said the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Therefore, my message to you today is: Seize Chinese Opportunities, go for a bright future.
I wish more and more NUS students and Samoan youth seize the “Chinese opportunities”, for they are also opportunities for NUS, Samoa, and China-Samoa relations.
Thank you! 谢谢！