As part of the bilateral relationship between the People’s Republic of China and Sierra Leone, thirty students from the Confucius Institute of the University of Sierra Leone have left the shores of Sierra Leone to engage in a three-moths training on Taichi boxing. The scholarship was sponsored by the Economic and Commercial Councillor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone. 

Councillor Zhang Xueqian, addressing his audience

Speaking at a farewell meeting at the Confucius Institute at Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city, Prof. He Mingqing, Director of the Confucius Institute noted that the Taichi scholarship is geared towards strengthening the bilateral relationships between the People’s Republic of China and Sierra Leone. He mentioned that the scholarship will provide students who have already started learning the art of the Taichi boxing an additional knowledge on both theory and practice. He added that it will also give them the opportunity to experience the unique ingredient of the birthplace of Taichi. Prof. He said that the three-month training course is for students to experience the glamour of martial art and share Chinese tradition and culture.

Bidding farewell to the thirty students, Mr. Kenneth Osho, local Director at the Confucius Institute commended the government of the People’s Republic of China for providing an opportunity for Sierra Leoneans to get firsthand experience of a unique Chinese culture. He noted that this is not the first set of students adding that last year eight students were awarded the same scholarship. Mr. Osho said the scholarship is a demonstration of true friendship between the People’s Republic of China and Sierra Leone. He therefore congratulated the students for making it through adding that it was not an easy task. He charged the thirty students to put on their best behaviour in China noting they will be serving as ambassadors of Sierra Leone. “Take advantage of the hospitality but do not abuse it as it will open doors for opportunities for you,” Mr. Osho cautioned the students.

Students with Senior Chinese Officials

The Councillor of Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy, Zhang Xueqian, in his address noted that the scholarship is in response to their President’s priority on education and human capacity development. He informed the awardees that the scholarship will enable them to learn about unique Chinese culture and customs and at the sometime promote culture exchange.

Speaking on behalf of his colleague students, Alusine Turay, the Team Captain, thanked the Confucius Institute and the Economic and Commercial Councillor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy for providing them the scholarship. He described the relationship between the People’s Republic of China and Sierra Leone as something beyond friendship adding it is more like a family bond. He however assured that they will make good use of the opportunity by putting their best behaviour and ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired will be transferred upon their return.