On 24 February 2018, H.E. Ambassador Shi Ting Wang visited the renowned Kamuzu Academy, where the students staged a brilliant art performance to celebrate Chinese Spring Festival. Over 600 people, including officials from the education authority, top management of the Academy, teachers and students, attended the function.

H.E. Ambassador Shi Ting Wang made the following remarks at the celebration.

Mr. A. J. Wild, the acting Headmaster of Kamuzu Academy,

Faculty Members,

Dear students,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Muli bwanji. It is my great honour to visit Kamuzu Academy, which is the most famous secondary school in Malawi, and known as "The Eden of Africa". Just now, I visited the beautiful campus. It's no exaggeration to say, Kamuzu Academy is most beautiful secondary school I've been to. Standing together with you, brings back memories of my own years of being a teenager.

In the past 36 years, the Academy has nurtured a great deal of the talent needed for the country's development, and has made a valuable contribution to cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Malawi.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Today, I am very happy to be here to attend the Chinese Spring Festival Celebration(2018) organized by the Kamuzu Academy. At this auspicious moment, I would like to wish you all a happy Chinese New Year!

The Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival is the most important Chinese festival, which is celebrated at the beginning of the traditional lunar calendar. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honor deities as well as ancestors. The 2018 Chinese Spring Festival fell on 16 February. This year is the Year of the Dog, which means loyalty, diligence and happiness. Now, the evening preceding Chinese New Year's Day is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.

Our function today is a proof that the Chinese Spring Festival not only brings Chinese families together, but also brings Chinese and Malawian friends together.

Over the past decade since China and Malawi established diplomatic relations, our people-to-people exchanges and heart-to-heart communication were in full bloom. Exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, arts, tourism, journalism and academia have flourished. For example, more and more Malawian students are taking Chinese language courses. More and more Chinese people are interested in visiting Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Language is a bridge linking two countries. In my understanding, Chinese can also be a bridge between your present and future. Last year, 6 graduates with excellent academic background in Kamuzu Academy won the Chinese Government Scholarship. Now they are in different Chinese top ranking universities for further studies. Chinese can also be the bridge for communication between our two peoples. Last year, Miss Faith Gwedeza in Kamuzu Academy representing Malawi, attended the 10th Chinese Proficiency Competition in China and received good grades. Because of her outstanding performance, more and more Chinese people are getting to know Malawi.

Learning Chinese is not only interesting, but also useful. China is now the world's second largest economy and one of the most important development partners of Malawi. Chinese investment has made tremendous contribution to the economic and social development in Malawi. Now many Malawians want to further their study in China or do business with Chinese partners. That's why you will find it easier to be employed with Chinese language proficiency. I sincerely hope that all of our Malawian friends can learn Chinese, appreciate Chinese culture and promote China-Malawi friendship.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

As the Chinese Embassy, we have enjoyed good cooperation with Kamuzu Academy over the past few years. We have dispatched 5 Chinese teachers since 2010, including Mr. Li Jiafang and Ms. Wang Hailu. Thanks to their efforts, the students here have easy access to Chinese language, and Kamuzu Academy has become the best Chinese language teaching spot in Malawi. Working together with your Academy, the China Day function was successfully held in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, we held the China Week. 76 and 75 students separately, from different schools across the country gathered in this beautiful campus and underwent a week-long Chinese cultural and studies experience. This year, the cultural feast will continue. I hope more and more students will join us in the fantastic China Week.

Dear students,

You are full of vigour and vitality, like the rising sun at eight or nine in the morning. It is the best years to gain knowledge, and best years of your life. You are not only the hope of developing Malawi, the driving force and young ambassadors of China-Malawi relations, but also the future of this continent. It is my sincere wish that you make good use of the precious time in Kamuzu Academy, study hard and get good grades. I hope you will all realize your dreams.

To support the development of Kamuzu Academy, I would like to make a donation including computers, laptops, printers, TV-sets, violins, electronic keyboard, and balls. Besides, I would like to announce that, the Chinese Embassy will continue to offer Kamuzu Academy scholarships this year! Last year, 6 graduates from Kamuzu Academy successfully applied the Chinese Government Scholarship. The window of opportunities is open again. I hope you can seize the chance and apply for the Scholarship. I want to assure you that, China is a promising land, and the future of the world. And opportunities of studying in China are the golden keys to unlock your future. China welcomes you, and welcome to China!

Thank you!