Beijing ASEAN Students’Game BASG Concluded

After one month of intense competition, the BASG 2014 was closed on 18 May 2014. The closing ceremony and presentation of award were held at the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Around 400 ASEAN students attended the ceremony. Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Vice President of BLCU Prof. Wang Luxin, Deputy Director General Zhao Lingshan of International Cooperation and Exchange Department of Ministry of Education of China, H. E. Mrs. Erlinda F. Basilio,  Ambassador of the Philippines to China, and other officials from the ASEAN embassies participated in the event, awarded student athletes prizes and were entertained by the students' traditional dance performances.

During the four weekends of competition, more than 800 ASEAN students in Beijing took part in 10 sports game namely, track and field, basketball, football, table tennis, badminton, tennis, go chess and bowling. Secretary-General Ma in his closing remarks said that the purpose of BASG 2014 was not only to showcase popular ASEAN sports, but also to raise the level of awareness of "ASEAN identity" among the ASEAN students in China. The students bonded together and strengthened their friendship during the four-week competition, that would add special memories to their studying life in China. BASG 2014 also symbolized the strong support of the Chinese government to ASEAN students. Deputy Director General Zhao Lingshan in his remarks was pleased to note the number of foreign students in China was steadily increasing in recent years, particularly ASEAN students. He was confident that the “Double 100,000 Student Mobility Goals” as proposed by the leaders of ASEAN and China would be realized before 2020. The Chinese Government welcomes more and more foreign students to study in China, and is committed to providing good studying and living environment for them, and expects the students' time in China could be worthwhile and pleasant. More importantly, ASEAN students in China are expected to be friendly envoys between China and their respective countries.