The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) 2020 held its opening ceremony via video on Oct. 20.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Deng Xijun, and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi all addressed the opening ceremony of ACYLS 2020.

Nearly 200 diplomats from missions to ASEAN, representatives from Chinese institutes and universities as well as ACYLS recipients also attended the opening ceremony.

Kang Fong Li, a Malaysian postgraduate studying at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), which is among some of the top universities in China designated to enroll ACYLS students, said that she had a close look at Chinese profound history and culture as well as its world-renowned achievements in innovative technology during her study in China.

In particular, she stressed she was deeply impressed by China's successful control of COVID-19 and its actions to aid the global fight against the pandemic in her speech at the opening ceremony on behalf of all ACYLS students.

Established in 2019, ACYLS is dedicated to encouraging outstanding students from ASEAN countries to study in China and to strengthen exchange between ASEAN and China.