Ms. Sharon Potoi Aiafi, ACEO of MFAT,
Students and parents,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening!
It is a great pleasure to see so many young faces here in the Chinese embassy to bid you farewell. This year, 30 Samoan students have been awarded full scholarships, namely 20 new students, 7 extended students and 3 students under the China-Pacific Island Forum scheme. I wish to take this opportunity to thank my Samoan colleagues in MFAT and Samoa Public Service Commission for making this year’s enrollment another success.
China and Samoa enjoy strong bilateral ties and close friendship. China is always willing to help Samoa to foster their own human capital. Samoan students have been awarded scholarships by Chinese government since 1982. Around 270 Samoan students have set their foot on China for tertiary education. Now, many graduated students enjoy a fulfilled and successful life and have contributed to China-Samoa friendship. (That handsome young lad over there is a great example.)
China is funding the scholarship program for a simple reason: We have been through hard times, and we know for a developing country, nothing is more precious than well-educated and skilled citizens. The prosperity of Samoa indispensably needs infrastructure and investment, and that is what China is doing with Samoa under the Belt and Road Initiative. More importantly, Samoa needs generations and generations who are equipped with technologies and knowledge to make good use of them. I am quite assured that Chinese universities will provide for experienced tutoring and comfortable accommodation. As for Samoan students who shall start the journey in China, you need to study diligently, to improve yourselves constantly, to provide for your family and serve your country well finally.
Young ladies and gentlemen. Manu Samoa and Samoan athletes joined in the 16th Pacific games have shown us what Samoan are capable of, and now it is your turn. Samuel Johnson, the famous English writer said, and I quote, “To learn is the proper business of youth.” Hereby, I would like to propose a toast for every Samoan student here: Do your business, and make Samoa proud!
Thank you! Have a nice evening!