CANBERRA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Australia hosted a reception on Tuesday, at which Chinese officials had exchanges with Australian students who are going to study in China.
The 13 students present at the reception are funded by the 2019 New Colombo Plan, an initiative of the Australian government which aims to lift knowledge.
Minister Cai Wei of the Chinese embassy, said that China is the most popular destination for Australian students covered by the New Colombo Plan. He hopes that the students could become ambassador for the friendship between China and Australia.
Elly Lawson, Assistant Secretary of the East Asia Branch in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that the number of students and scholars visited the Chinese mainland under the New Colombo Plan would exceed 6,000 by 2020. She hopes that the students could learn more about China and make more friends there, playing a positive role in exchanges between the two countries.
"China has special attraction for Australian students," said Sean Yeoh, who is going to China in 2019. "Its population exceeds 1.3 billion and growth of GDP is more than six percent." He said that he will establish good relationship with the Chinese after he goes to China, and make contribution to the Sino-Australian relationship.
Sarel Steinauer from the Curtin University will be studying for one and a half years in Beijing and Shanghai. "I like Chinese culture," he said. "I would like to visit more places."
During the exchanges, Zong Wa, Minister-Counselor for education of the Chinese embassy, gave students a lecture about China's education, while other officials with the embassy talked about the China's culture, trade, and tips for traveling in China. Students also learned how to make dumplings at the reception.
