Successful 2023 Chinese Government Scholarship Admission Letter Award Ceremony

On August 8, 2023, the “Ceremony of Granting the 2023 Chinese Government Scholarship Admission Letters” was held at Ayana Midplaza Hotel in Jakarta. The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia and co-hosted by the Bank of China Branch in Jakarta. A total of 50 Indonesian scholarship recipients, along with their teachers and parents, attended the event.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Lu Kang personally presented the acceptance letters to the scholarship recipients. Among the distinguished guests present were Mr. Reda Manthovani, the Head of the High Prosecutor’s Office of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (Mr. Eko Adyaksono), the Head of Personnel Division of the Indonesian Attorney General’s Office; Ms. Lutini, a representative from higher education institutions in Indonesia; Mr. Widya, the Rector of Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta; Mr. Huang Dexin, the Chairman of the Indonesian Chinese Association; Mr. Chai Changjie, the Executive Chairman of the Jakarta Mandarin Language Education Coordination Body; Mr. Zhou Bin, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia; Mr. Zhang Chaoyang, Director of the Bank of China Hongkong Branch in Jakarta; and Mr. Liu Yue, Assistant Director of the Bank of China Branch in Jakarta. At the venue, the Bank of China Branch representative in Jakarta introduced “International Financial Services for Overseas Study” to the scholarship recipients and their parents, while also providing on-site transaction services.

China International Airlines, China Southern Airlines, the Xiamen Airlines Branch Office in Jakarta, China Mobile International Limited, and China Life Insurance Indonesia also offered consultation services related to flights, telecommunications, and insurance for the students.

In his address, Ambassador Lu Kang extended congratulations to the recipients of the Chinese Government Scholarship and encouraged Indonesian students who will be pursuing education in China to seize the learning opportunity, establish strong relationships with their professors and peers, gain a deeper understanding of China, and share their experiences and knowledge with a wider audience , enabling more people to truly understand the diverse and beloved China. He also urged them to return to Indonesia after completing their studies in China and contribute to the country’s development.

Lu Kang stated, “To enhance understanding and friendship between the people of China and people from various countries around the world, as well as to support exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and other nations, the Chinese Government has established scholarship programs to support high-quality students and scholars from different countries in studying or conducting research at educational institutions in China. From 2017 to 2023, a total of 810 Indonesian students have been awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship (Category A) covering full expenses, and they have completed their studies or research in China, becoming ambassadors of friendship between Indonesia and China. In addition, there are various types of scholarships such as Category B Scholarships, Regional Government Scholarships, Confucius Scholarships, Scholarships from various educational institutions, and Scholarships from companies supporting Indonesian students’ studies and research in China, which provide support and protection from various aspects, layers, and dimensions. Currently, the number of Indonesian students studying in China has exceeded 15,000, and China’s openness and inclusiveness has made it one of the most important study destinations for Indonesian students. The Chinese Government Scholarship Program supports students in studying in China, promotes understanding and cooperation between Chinese and Indonesian youth, and attracts more and more young people to get to know, understand, and love China.”

In the context of bilateral relations, Lu Kang emphasized that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Indonesia, the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiative in Indonesia, and the beginning of the year of jointly building the China-Indonesia Future Community. He highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges in strengthening and expanding bilateral relations, particularly in the use of educational resources that can generate greater synergy, expand people-to-people interactions, enhance interpersonal friendships, and promote cooperation between the two countries.

At the event, representatives of scholarship recipients from previous years, He Zhijun and Yang Dize, spoke about their study experiences in China. Additionally, two student representatives for the year 2023, Yan Siqi and Agim, also delivered speeches expressing their determination to make the most of their study opportunities, study diligently, and continuously develop their skills and knowledge. They pledged to broaden their horizons, achieve educational success, contribute to Indonesia’s development, and strengthen the friendship cooperation between Indonesia and China.

In the list of names of the 50 students receiving notifications of the Chinese Government Scholarship, there are students from various schools, including Marselly from Bazhong Trilingual School, who will be studying at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China; William Theodora Budiman at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Hansel Liang at Beijing University of Science and Technology; Angellyn at Tongji University Shanghai; Dinda at Fudan University Shanghai; Wang Junran at East China Normal University; Jessica and He Zhijun at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Christine Carleone Winata at Peking University; Gunawan Marveline Alicia at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Hans Rachel Yoshe at Xiamen University.

In 2023, the Bank of China Jakarta Branch celebrates its 85th anniversary since its establishment and also its 20th anniversary since resuming operations. As the first Chinese financial institution in Indonesia, the Bank of China Jakarta Branch has been committed to supporting educational and cultural cooperation between China and Indonesia. With the support of diverse financial service platforms within the Bank of China Group, as well as integrated services both domestically and internationally, the Bank of China Jakarta Branch has played a role in providing specialized cross-border financial services for Indonesian students embarking on studies in China, helping them commence their study experiences smoothly.

The services offered by this branch include RMB currency exchange in cash, processing full RMB tuition fee transfers, issuing dual-currency debit cards covering Indonesian Rupiah and RMB through the UnionPay card network, and the possibility of withdrawing cash for free at Bank of China Branch ATMs in China, along with the ability to top up digital RMB wallets in trial regions. Additionally, online and mobile banking services are easily accessible. The branch also provides RMB deposit services with special offers for families of students studying abroad.

Moreover, the Bank of China and several other Chinese companies also provide recruitment opportunities for students who have completed their studies in China. The hope is that these graduates can become ambassadors of friendship between China and Indonesia, and upon their return, contribute further to the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.