Educational exchanges between China and Laos date back to 1990. Today, Laos is one of the biggest recipients of Chinese student scholarships. The number and variety of scholarships is growing, giving more Lao students a first-hand experience of China's culture and education as well as development. CGTN's Xu Mengqi found out more about the lives and aspirations of two scholarship-winning Lao students in Beijing.

Laotian student Sephan is in his first year of a master's program at Beijing University of Chemical Technology.

For him, to be able to study in China means something not only for himself, but also for his family.

KAOSEP SEPHAN, LAO STUDENT BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY "It was my grandpa's dream to come visit China but he didn't have the chance."

A chance that Sephan seized on after passing a Mandarin language test and winning a fully-funded scholarship from the Chinese government, which has supported over 1,300 Laotian students to study in China, up till 2016.

LIU ZHENJUAN, CHAIRWOMAN SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, BUCT "As the Belt & Road Initiative was implemented over the past two years, we've seen a large increase in international students coming from countries like Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia."

Senghueangkham is another beneficiary of such educational exchanges. Since her first year as an undergraduate, she has been assigned a Chinese partner who offers assistance in both her studies and life on campus.

SENGPHET SENGHUEANGKHAM LAO STUDENT, BUCT "I studied very hard in my first year and thanks to the help from my Chinese friend, I started receiving the Beijing government scholarship from the second year on."

Senghueangkham is now a senior and applying for a postgraduate program to further her study of international trade in China.

XU MENGQI BEIJING "For these Laotian students, studying in China not only gives them hope for a bright future, but it's also an opportunity for them to do their bit for the development of their homeland."

SENGPHET SENGHUEANGKHAM LAO STUDENT, BUCT "After I return to Laos, I want to work in the international trade department in the government and make use of what I've learned in China."

KAOSEP SEPHAN, LAO STUDENT BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY (BUCT) "If I can't be a civil servant after I go back, I want to start my own business and build an e-commerce platform like Taobao."

Heartening aspirations like these ones are not uncommon among the Laotian student community in Beijing. As cooperation between China and Laos continues to deepen, educational exchanges will likely benefit more students in the future. Xu Mengqi, CGTN, Beijing.