Over 200 Xinjiang students in Egypt were awarded scholarships here on Monday for their academic attainments during the 2014-2015 school year. The Chinese embassy in Egypt, entrusted by the government of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, granted this year's “Loving Xinjiang Scholarships” to 230 Xinjiang students in Cairo, Egypt, July 4, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over 200 Xinjiang students in Egypt were awarded scholarships here on Monday for their academic attainments during the 2014-2015 school year.

The Chinese embassy in Egypt, entrusted by the government of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, granted this year's "Loving Xinjiang Scholarships" to 230 Xinjiang students.

Qi Dong, a 28-year-old Hui student from Changji, Xinjiang, was granted Excellent Student Leaders Scholarship. He said in his speech that winning the scholarship is more than money.

"The awards show that our country and people care about us and hold high expectations for us," he said, adding that he will repay the favor by studying hard and become a man of great achievements someday.

Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is home to more than 13 million Muslims and a "core area" of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

"The Belt and Road Initiative will bring impetus to the development of Xinjiang in the coming years, and I hope these students can make the best of what they have learned in Egypt to facilitate this development," Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo said.

"Loving Xinjiang Scholarships" were initiated in 2006 to honor excellent students from Xinjiang and help those in financial need pay for tuition.