By Burnett MunthaliHonourable
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri says his participation in the PKU Dongfang Scholarship Programme in China gave him an opportunity to gain new perspectives, challenge some of his previous understanding and learn from the country’s development experience as the programme draws to a close.
Phiri shared his reflections on his official Facebook page, where he also congratulated two Chinese women he described as “prestigious women” for their contribution to China’s development and efforts to strengthen cooperation among countries of the Global South.
“As we conclude the PKU Dongfang Scholarship Programme, my heartfelt congratulations to these prestigious women for their dedication towards achieving the CPC’s agenda of a better China and stronger Global South cooperation,” Phiri wrote.
Phiri identified one of the women as Wang Junxia, a Chinese Olympic athletics champion, whom he said was wearing green and white.
He identified the other as Professor Sun, whom he described as the first female Economics Dean at Peking University and among Chinese universities.
Wang Junxia won gold in the women’s 5,000 metres at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States, and also claimed silver in the 10,000 metres at the same Games.
Reflecting on his own experience under the scholarship programme, Phiri said the opportunity enabled him to gain fresh perspectives while reassessing some of his previous knowledge and understanding.
“I have learned and unlearned,” he wrote.
His remarks point to the academic, cultural and development-oriented experiences he encountered during the programme, while also highlighting broader discussions around China’s engagement with countries of the Global South.
The PKU Dongfang Scholarship Programme has provided participants with an opportunity to engage with academic and development issues in China, exposing them to perspectives that can shape their understanding of international cooperation and development.
