PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS PARTICIPATE IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ASEAN-CHINA YOUNG LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CLASS OF 2020

20 October 2020 – The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) program class of 2020 held its opening ceremony online on 20 October 2020 to welcome the second batch of scholars participating in the ACYLS program.

For this academic year, thirty-seven (37) students began their studies in various Chinese institutions of higher learning . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the students are taking their studies online.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Philippine Senior Official Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Vice Minister Luo Zhaohui of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education Undersecretary Jesus L.R. Mateo, and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak delivered remarks during the opening ceremony and lent their support to ACYLS, highlighting its importance in strengthening people-to-people ties between ASEAN and China.

The universities in China, as well as beneficiaries from the 2019 and 2020 batch of ACYLS students presented videos on their experiences under the ACYLS program.

Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Noel Servigon and Ambassador Deng Xijun of the Mission of China to ASEAN delivered the closing remarks, noting that ASEAN and China need to continue nurturing the ACYLS as well as other initiatives to enhance mutual understanding, trust, and confidence between ASEAN and China.

The ACYLS is a landmark initiative of ASEAN-China cooperation in education that provides educational opportunities for ASEAN nationals to take up post-graduate studies and short-courses in Chinese universities. It was launched in 2019 and is funded through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund, which supports projects that promote cooperation between ASEAN and China. END.