Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — Premier Li Keqiang talked with a group of students during his visit to the No. 14 Middle School in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar, on Nov 14.

The No. 14 Middle School in Nay Pyi Taw is a public school with more than 1,500 students, offering classes from primary to high school.

Li’s arrival was warmly received by students waving national flags of both countries and singing their school anthem. He kindly extended greetings to the children before walking into a classroom.

As soon as the Premier walked in, all the students stood up and crowded around him. When asked if they are willing to study at China’s universities, the students replied “Yes!”

Li said he was impressed the strong desire of the students to get ahead and acquire knowledge. He also said that China is happy to offer 100 more government scholarships to Myanmar students starting next year. He welcomed the students to study in China so that they can make contributions to development of Myanmar and help foster friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

While chatting with the students, one student asked the Premier about his own school years. Li said that during his school days, China was materially limited and that the educational facilities weren’t as good as the ones the students at No. 14 Middle School use. He also recalled working on a farm after graduating from high school to earn a living. However Li said that he persisted with his education because he believed that knowledge is powerful.

Holding a local newspaper featuring Li’s visit, another student asked the Premier about his opinion toward the future relationship between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Li said China is the biggest neighboring country of the ASEAN, and both sides should create a “diamond decade” in terms of deepening and upgrading the cooperation, of the past ten years’ “golden decade”. Diamond is more solid and precious than gold, he said.

Li presented the school with school supplies including computers and laptops, and in return the students gave him a hand-knit Chinese knot that they made by themselves.

Before saying goodbye, Li encouraged the students to study hard so that they may one day contribute to the China-Myanmar friendship.