In the true Melanesian spirit, six Vanuatu students joined hands with their Papua New Guinean colleagues to commemorate PNG’s 41st Independence anniversary in China.
In a first-of-its-kind event, the 30 students from the Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, gathered last Saturday (Sept 17) and proudly raised the PNG flag.
President of the Nanjing PNG Students Association, Yol Donigi, told Loop PNG that happiness and joy pervaded the atmosphere.
“They were really proud, raising their country's flag with our PNG flag to celebrate our 41st independence. Their student rep said it was a great pleasure to be part of the celebration in China, representing their government and their country,” said Donigi.
“There were tears of joy when I presented a short history of PNG’s independence.
“The Vanuatu students were interested to know more about PNG.
“We presented the PNG national anthem and national pledge. Living in another country, it was a very proud moment to raise the PNG flag and sing the national anthem.”
Donigi said while he was presenting PNG’s brief history, he felt proud and full of joy ‘to be an ambassador of my country’.
He also said the Ni-Vanuatu students extended their appreciation to the PNG government for helping their country, especially during their independence.
Vanuatu student representative, Tiro Leo, said: "We Vanuatu students in Nanjing, China, would like to wish all Papua New Guineans a happy 41st Independence anniversary!"
Southeast University, colloquially Dongda, is a public research university. One of the oldest institutions, it has been ranked among the top 20 research universities in China and among the top 500 in the world.
(Pictures supplied by Yol Donigi)
