On September 2, the Chinese Embassy in Liberia held a Pre-departure Ceremony for the Winners of the Chinese Government Scholarships (CGS). More than 60 people attended the ceremony including Chinese Ambassador to Liberia H.E. Ren Yisheng, Hon. Prof. Dr. Ansu D. Sonii, Minister of Education of Liberia, Hon. Lance K. Gbagonyon, Deputy Minister for Information and Tourism, Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Yaba Thompson, Assistant Minister for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Julius J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., President of the University of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel Sie-Wreh, President and Professor of Tubman University, Dr. Romelle A. Horton, President of Cuttington University, Dr. Abimelech P. Gbatu, President of Bomi Community College (BCC), Dr. Ponnie R. Dolo, CEO of Tappita Hospital, Mr. Filmore Wiagbe, President of the Liberian Association of Chinese Trained Scholars, Mr. Nicholas Dweh Nimley, Liberian scholar, recipients of the 2022 Chinese Government Scholarships, representatives of returned beneficiaries of CGS, and representatives of Liberian media outlets. The Political Counselor of the Embassy Xu Kun presided over the event, and the Economic and Commercial Counselor Li Jiang was present.

In his speech, Ambassador Ren extended warm congratulations to the winners of the 2022 CGS, and appreciated Liberian Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies for their constant support to the educational exchange and cooperation between China and Liberia. Ambassador Ren said that under the framework of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) advocated by President Xi Jinping and the "Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development"(PAPD) advocated by President George Manneh Weah, China-Liberia cooperation has achieved fruitful results in such areas as economy and trade, health care, infrastructure construction, food security, and human resource development, and relevant China-aid projects are being carried out in an orderly manner. Ambassador Ren pointed out that people-to-people exchanges is an important means of deepening the understanding and friendship between our two peoples. In recent years, China has gradually expanded the scope of scholarship benefit, and many graduated Liberian students and trainees from the CGS are playing increasingly important roles in Liberia. Ambassador Ren briefed that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC) will be convened on October 16 in Beijing and the new leadership of CPC central committee will lead the Chinese people to march towards the second centenary goal and build China into a great modern socialist country by the middle of this century. Ambassador Ren hoped that the recipients will make the best use of the opportunity to study in China, work hard on the Chinese language and professional knowledge, gain in-depth understanding of the Chinese culture, experience the historic development and achievements China has made, serve their motherland after returning home, and make due contribution to enhancing the China-Liberia friendship and win-win cooperation. 

In his speech, Minister Sonii emphasized the importance of education for the future development of the country in Liberia, thanked China for its long-term important support and selfless assistance to Liberia's education and development in other fields, and required that the Liberian students in China promote their national image, cherish their learning opportunities, and expect them to contribute to the economic and social development of Liberia as well as Liberia-China relations after they return home.

Subsequently, Assistant Minister Thompson, Dr. Nielsen, Dr. Horton, Dr. Gbatu, Dr. Dolo, Mr. Wiagbe, Mr. Nimley and others delivered speeches respectively on site or on line, thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese embassy for providing valuable opportunities to study in China, and hoped to strengthen cooperation with China in the field of education and people-to-people exchange in the future. Many people recalled the wonderful experience in China, said that their career development has benefited from the opportunity to study in China, and encouraged the students to abide by laws and regulations in China, work hard, contribute to Liberia's development after returning, and become messengers to promote the friendship between China and Liberia.

At the event, representatives of the recipients of the CGS presented an honorary certificate to Ambassador Ren, and once again thanked the Chinese government for the valuable opportunity to study in China. The atmosphere of the event was warm, and more than ten mainstream media attended and covered the event.

Before the Pre-departure Ceremony, Ambassador Ren also attended a brief ceremony of donating rice and other nutritious products for schools, including rice, milk powder and edible oil, to the Ministry of Education of Liberia on behalf of the Chinese Embassy. Ambassador Ren and Education Minister Sonii signed the handover certificate on behalf of China and Liberia respectively. Minister Sonii expressed his deep gratitude to the Chinese side for its assistance and said that the Liberian side will make the best use of the donated materials and ensure that aid is used to maintain peace, stability and unity in Liberia.