Tabby Mungai, the director of Student Affairs of the Ministry of Education, delivers a speech at 2018 farewell reception for the Chinese Government scholarship Kenyan students in Nairobi, Kenya, Aug. 22, 2018. A group of Kenyan students who have received Chinese scholarships are set to depart to different cities and universities across the Asian nation to further their studies, an envoy said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Yan)

NAIROBI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A group of 169 Kenyan students who have received Chinese scholarships are set to depart to different cities and universities across the Asian nation to further their studies, an envoy said on Wednesday.

Sun Baohong, Chinese Ambassador in Kenya, said China has become one of the most favorable destinations for Kenyan students.

"I am very delighted to join you as you prepare to travel to China and also extend my warm congratulations to you for receiving this year's scholarships. You are full of vigor and vitality, are in the bloom of life and our hope is placed on you," she said.

Sun said since the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2015, China has provided over 67,000 training opportunities for Kenyan personnel from different sectors.

She noted that since 1982, the Chinese government has been offering scholarships to Kenyan students every year and until now, over 1,000 Kenyan students have obtained the scholarships.

"More than 2,400 Kenyan students are now studying in China. This year, 69 Kenyan students have received Chinese government Scholarship whereas 100 students got scholarships from various Chinese companies," the ambassador said.

She told the students, who will go to different cities and universities in China to pursue bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in different majors, to be good ambassadors for their country and perform prominently in their respective careers and return home to become the backbone of the country's development.

Sun told the students to abide by the laws of China as well as rules and regulations in their universities, study hard and live up to what their parents and their country expect of them.

Tabby Mungai, the director of Student Affairs of the Ministry of Education, said the scholarships will go a long way in deepening the strong bonds of friendship and long-standing trade ties, adding that Chinese firms are also transferring valuable skills to Kenyans with the aim of building a pool to drive the country forward.

Amos Musyoki, who is proceeding to a pursue a doctorate degree course at China Agricultural University and who spoke on behalf of other students, said they will be good ambassadors who will be ready to learn from their Chinese counterparts.