BANGKOK — The China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Young Leaders Scholarship was launched here on July 31, aimed at encouraging outstanding students from 10 ASEAN countries to study in China.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the scholarship project, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the setting up of the scholarship was announced by Premier Li Keqiang in November 2018 in Singapore.

Eight months after the announcement, China and ASEAN countries have completed the work on the scholarship project's approval, design and admission processes, Wang said. "Starting this September, about 100 scholars from ASEAN countries will begin their study in China."

The scholarship aims to strengthen the people-to-people exchange between the two sides through educational cooperation, especially among young generations, so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, Wang added.

China hopes that the scholarship will encourage more outstanding students from ASEAN countries to study in China, Wang said.

China also hopes that the youth from both sides will enhance their friendship through learning from each other so as to become the inheritors and builders of the friendly relations between China and ASEAN, Wang added.

Also at the launching ceremony, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin expressed their gratitude to China for setting up the scholarship, saying that it will help enhance educational cooperation and promote the mutual understanding and trust between ASEAN and China.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. China is a dialogue partner of ASEAN.