Distinguished Dr. Francisco Miguel Martins, Rector of Universidade Nacional Timor Lorsa'e (UNTL),
Distinguished Representatives from Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture (MESSK),
Dear teachers, students and parents,
It gives me great pleasure to come to UNTL and award the “Chinese Ambassador scholarship” to the outstanding students. First of all, I want to extend my congratulations to all the scholarship recipients. “Chinese Ambassador Scholarship” program is the scholarship program set up by the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste for Timorese local students. It is designed to help intelligent and poor students complete their studies, and inspire them to study hard to become pillars of national construction in the future. This is the first time that the Chinese Embassy sets up and awards the “Chinese Ambassador Scholarship”. In the future, the embassy will continue to do so and award the scholarship once a year to benefit more excellent and poor students. Secondly, I want to thank the UNTL and MESSK for their supports and coordination to set up and operate the program, so that the scholarship can be awarded today. This program will become one of the third name cards of friendly cooperation in the field of education between China and Timor-Leste, after China-aided Timorese Elementary program and the Chinese Government Scholarship Program. It is another cooperation outcome in the field of education between the two countries.
Knowledge is power and knowledge can change and upgrades one's life. Knowledge can only be got by hard work and devotion. Only if young people are well educated, will a nation be full of hope. All the students present are selected carefully, are outstanding, intelligent and diligent. I hope, under the help of Chinese Ambassador Scholarship, you can continually study hard, give full play of your potential and ability, and use your knowledge and know-how to make contributions to Timor-Leste and serve the people of Timor-Leste.
In China, there is an old proverb saying that “It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to bring up a generation of people”. The cultivation of talents is not an overnight work，it needs great commitment, endeavor and large investment to education. “A nation will prosper only when its education prospers. A nation will be strong only when its education succeeds”. The Chinese Embassy hopes to make its own contribution to the educational development of Timor-Leste through this program. The Chinese government is always willing to provide assistance to Timor-Leste within its capacity in the fields of education, culture and science, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in these fields. The successful establishment of the Confucius Classroom in the Institute of Business (IOB) last year is a case in point. I also hope the Confucius Institute can be run in Timor-Leste as soon as possible.
China is a great country with the oriental civilization lasting for 5000 years. The friendship between Chinese and Timorese also has a long history. Timor-Leste is an important link of the maritime silk road ever since ancient times. China has always been supporting the national liberation of Timor-Leste and was among the first to recognize its independence and establish diplomatic ties with. China and Timor-Leste have always been good neighbors, good friends and good partners. At present, China and Timor-Leste are vigorously pushing forward Belt and Road cooperation, the practical cooperation between the two sides is getting closer. I hope all the students can take this opportunity to learn something about China and about Chinese People, and to be the promoters and carriers of the friendship between China and Timor-Leste.
In addition, I’d like to say a few words about Chinese Government Scholarship Program, since 2006, China has offered dozens of scholarships to Timorese students to study in China annually. So far, more than 200 Timorese students have been awarded. Welcome all of you to study in China.
Finally, my congratulations to the scholarship recipients again! Hope all of you study hard, and have a bright future. Thank you!