On the evening of March 25, Consul General Fang Xinwen attended the pre-departure networking reception for the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program 2026. Approximately 100 people participated, including officials from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, university representatives, foreign diplomats and young Australian scholars and students.

Consul General Fang extended his congratulations to the students receiving 2026 funding for study in China,  noting that the NCP has built a vital bridge for Indo-Pacific youth to deepen understanding and expand cooperation. He encouraged the young Australian scholars to leverage their expertise to drive regional collaboration in education and research. Welcoming them to experience the vibrancy of a diverse China and witness its high-quality development firsthand, he expressed his hope that they would use their unique perspective as young leaders to foster interaction and deepen the cultural and people-to-people ties between Australia and China.

The NCP Scholarship Program supports Australian undergraduate students to strengthen their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy including through study, language learning and internships.In 2026, the program will fund 328 Australian undergraduate students to participate in the scholars program, representing an increase of almost 50% from 2025.