On October 16, in Liuzhou, China, Lao student Tian Zhi Xian shared his excitement about studying abroad, saying, “It’s really interesting to take the high-speed train to study overseas. I hope to acquire knowledge in China and later promote trade and cultural exchanges between Laos and China.”
Tian and nearly 50 other Lao students recently traveled from Laos to China via the China-Laos Railway, becoming freshmen at Liuzhou Vocational College. They are eager to participate in projects such as the “Lao Luban Workshop.”
Another Lao student, Mei Lin, expressed her amazement at China’s rapid economic growth and ever-evolving technology. She arrived in China with a thirst for knowledge, aiming to learn Chinese and develop skills. “I hope to achieve my goals and contribute to the friendship between Laos and China,” she stated.
Zhou Jinfu, a leader in the Lao community and overseas advisor to the Liuzhou Overseas Chinese Association, has witnessed the strengthening ties between Laos and China over the years. He noted, “When we started recruiting students in 2016, many Lao students were hesitant about studying in China, and there were very few applicants. Now, the number of students wanting to study here far exceeds the available slots.”
Du Qiao Pung Taj, Director of the Student Affairs Department at the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized the importance of cultivating high-skilled and high-tech talent for Laos. He hopes that Lao students will take their studies seriously and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire in China to Laos’s development, contributing positively to the increasingly close relationship between the two countries.
Currently, the Chinese “Luban Workshop,” named after the legendary craftsman, has been established in 19 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, serving as a national showcase for China’s vocational education initiative and contributing to the construction and development of Belt and Road countries.
