Chinese ambassador attends send-off ceremony for Gambian participants in Chinese training project

Ma Jianchun (C), Chinese ambassador to the Gambia, attends the send-off ceremony for Gambian students to leave for China, on Oct 10. [photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, wife of Gambian President Adama Barrow, held a send-off ceremony for 43 Gambian students at the presidential palace in the capital city of Banjul on Oct 10, before they leave for China to attend training on bee breeding and the production of honey.

Ma Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to the Gambia, attended the ceremony.

Ma addressed the ceremony and said that the two countries have deepened their political trust, strengthened bilateral cooperation in various sectors, and achieved sound progress in collaboration of human resources since they resumed bilateral ties in March 2016.

Over 800 Gambian people received professional training in China by various means over the past three years.

The latest round of China-aided training for Gambian people was jointly organized by the Chinese embassy in the Gambia and the Office of Gambian First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow.

Fatoumatta Bah Barrow introduced that there are bases for the development of bee breeding and the production of honey in Gambia. She called on Gambian trainees to cherish the valuable opportunity, learn from and hold in-depth discussions with Chinese experts, and bring back advanced technologies and experience from China in a drive to further increase production capacity and the quality of beekeeping and honey-related products, enlarge the share of market, and reap significant business profits.

Attendees pose for a group photo at the ceremony on Oct 10. [photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, head of the Gambian Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, extended deep thanks to the Chinese government for its priceless assistance and the hard work of Chinese diplomats in the Gambia.

China has provided the Gambia with great assistance for its talents cultivation that are crucial to Gambian economic and social growth during the past few years, said Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, adding that the latest session of vocational training will further accelerate the development of her country's beekeeping industry.

Fatou Sanyang Kinteh urged trainees to learn more from China's advanced technologies and experience in bee breeding and honey production, seek friendship between the countries, and contribute their personal efforts to bilateral cooperation in the honey industry.

A trainee said that he is excited to attend the training session and that the event demonstrates China's willingness to seek joint development with the Gambia and other African countries. He added that all his peers will attach great importance to the opportunity, work hard in learning China's advanced technologies and experience, and strive for the improvement of friendship between two countries' peoples.

Local media gave full coverage to the gathering and interviewed Ma after its conclusion.

Ma Jianjun (C), Chinese ambassador to the Gambia, is interviewed by local media after the ceremony on Oct 10. [photo/fmprc.gov.cn]