On 21st August 2019, the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste hosted a reception for the Timorese overseas students in China, seeing off the students who have got the 2019-2020 Chinese government scholarships and greeting those who have finished their studies back from China. H.E. Dr. Xiao Jianguo, Ambassador of China to Timor-Leste; H.E. Madame Isabel Ruak Ferreira, Founder of the Quesadhip Ruak Foundation and Prime Minister's wife; H.E. Mr. Mericio Juvenal dos Reis 'Akara', Secretary of State for Social Communications; H.E. Mr. Afonso Corte-Real, Chief of Staff of Prime Minister; Mr. Jose Turquel, Senior Advisor to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Ms. Filomena Lay, representative of Minister and Director General of Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology graced the reception.

Ambassador Xiao congratulated those young students who won the Chinese scholarship this year and encouraged them to cherish every opportunity and study hard to be the contributors to Timor-Leste and the messengers of friendship between China and Timor-Leste. He hope that all walks of life in Timor-Leste will continue to care for and support exchanges and cooperation in education between two countries. Ambassador Xiao said that education is the cornerstone of national strength on and social progress, and an important area of ​​cultural exchanges between two countries. The Chinese side will continue to strengthen cooperation in education and culture with Timor-Leste, and to promote the traditional friendship and elevate bilateral relations between China and Timor-Leste.

H.E. Mr. Akara, Madame Isabel Ruak Ferreira, and Ms. Filomena Lay delivered speeches respectively, thanked the Chinese government for consecutively providing scholarships and training opportunities to Timor-Leste. They urged that the Timorese students study hard with achievements, serve the motherland and the society well. On behalf of young students who will study in China, Mr. Americo Valentim dos Santos Marques expressed his gratitude. The reception was in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and everyone posed cheerfully for photos.

In 2019, 54 Timorese young students are qualified to study for degrees in China in this fall semester, with the support of various scholarships from the Chinese government.