(19 November, Mtunthama)

 

Mr. Francis J. Cooke, Headmaster of Kamuzu Academy,

Dear teachers and staffs present here,

Boys and girls,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies gentlemen,

 

Good morning! It gives me great pleasure and honor to come here and attend the celebration of the 35^th Founders Day of Kamuzu Academy. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Francis J. Cooke, Headmaster of Kamuzu Academy for inviting me to attend this august function. My appreciation also goes to the teachers and staffs, without whom such a thoughtful arrangement could not be possible. I also want to say thank you to all the students here, you showed me how the future of Malawi looks like.

 

Kamuzu Academy is a world-renowned school. I have heard of it even before my coming to Malawi. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, it is better to see once than hear a hundred times. What I saw today is really impressive. The Romanesque arches, cloistered walkways, beautiful gardens make Kamuzu Academy a heaven for learners that I have to say, few schools in the world can emulate.

 

Boys and girls,

 

When I see you, I think of myself. I was born in a rural small village in Northern China. About forty years ago, I was also a little kid, just like all of you. Every day I had to do farm work, like planting crops, raising cows, and so on. I also went to school, but my school is not as good as yours. It was just a normal school in China, far away from the "Eton of Africa". To some extent, I feel jealous.

 

It never comes to my mind that one day I can become the ambassador of my country, that I can stand here and address the most promised youth of Malawi. But it all comes true. Why?

 

The answer is the rise of my homeland, the People's Republic of China, which provides me with the opportunity to achieve my personal ambition. In 1978, 38 years ago, China only accounted for 1% of global GDP. With a per capita GDP of only 127 US dollars, China was a poor country by any standard. By the way, last year, Malawi's GDP per capita was 381 US dollars. But now, China is the world's second largest economy, and the per capita GDP is over 8000 US dollars.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

I believe what China has achieved today can be attributed to the fact that we have chosen a development path suited to China's national conditions and with Chinese characteristics. The main features of this path of development can be summed up as follows:

 

First, stay committed to reform and opening up.

For the past 30-plus years, we have focused all our energies on economic development, and pressed ahead with reform in different fields, achieved transition from the planed economy to a market economy. From the establishment of special economic zones to the opening of coastal and inland regions, from attracting foreign investment to encouraging our own investment overseas, China has embraced the world with its open arms.

 

Second, stay committed to our own path of development.

There is no single path of development that suits all countries in the world. In a spirit of unity and solidarity, the Chinese government and its people have overcome various challenges in the past 30-plus years and established path with Chinese characteristics that suits to its own conditions and serves the fundamental interests of Chinese people.

 

Third, stay committed to keeping in step with the times.

The future is full of unknowns, for which there is no ready answer. That requires us to break the routines, clear our minds, and advance with the changing times. We Chinese people always take a scientific attitude towards challenges and risks, learning from the past experiences and making efforts for less or no mistakes in the future.

 

These three experience has helped us along the way of fast development. H.E. Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi advocates three pillars of development, namely patriotism, integrity and hard work. These spirits are also what we Chinese emphasize, which are critical to development. Malawi is still faced with many challenges, you are the one to overcome the challenges and bring a bright future to your country.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

When Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda established this school, he said: "I do not want my boys and girls to do what I had to do - to leave their homes and their families and go education." His wishes have come true. Now, not only are students here well educated in their country, the alumni are active in many parts of the world, such as Malawi, South Africa, Europe, the United States, China and elsewhere, making their due contribution of the great cause of Human development.

 

From Kamuzu Academy, we can see the great importance the Malawian government attaches to Education. Great minds think alike. Chinese government is also committed to propel Education, because it holds the key to development. With the efforts of the past few decades, China now has a talents pool which suit the development need of the country.

 

"Michael Lwanda", "Kjiyani Chipungu" ,"Towela Kayira", "Tapiwa Dznikambani", I do not know whether you know these names. They are the Chinese scholarship winners from Kamuzu Academy this year. And now they are already in China, chasing their dreams of academic excellence. Each year, Chinese government will provide scholarship opportunities to Malawian students, aiming to promote educational and people-to-people exchanges. Both of us can learn from each other during this process. It is an act of opening up and mutual learning. I hope you can grasp the chance next year.

 

We have two Chinese teachers in this academy - Mr Li and Ms Wang. With their hard work and devotion, I hope you can learn Chinese and appreciate our culture.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

China-Malawi relations has maintained fast and sound development in the past eight years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, bringing many tangible benefits for all Malawian people. In the future, we will further intensify our cooperation in the area of education, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, deepen our understanding about each other and inject vitality to the development of the two countries.

 

Today I have brought some musical instruments for you, including 10 violins, 1 Erhu and 3 flutes. I hope these instruments can help you achieve a all-rounded performance.

 

Last but not least, just as the mission keystones of this academy goes, "An active pursuit of excellence", I hope every one of you can bear this mission in mind and keep on pursuing excellence. You are the one that hold the key to Malawi's development. You are the one that can boost Malawi! You are the future of Malawi! You are the future of South Africa! You are the future of Africa!

 

May the Kamuzu Academy enjoy robust development! May all of you have a bright future!

 

       Thank you!