The Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in Beijing has rejected recent media allegations suggesting widespread scholarship problems affecting Gambian students in China, describing the claims as misleading and inaccurate.

In a press statement issued on 14 January 2026, the Embassy said it was acting on the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad to clarify reports circulating in sections of the media.

According to the Embassy, out of more than 130 Gambian students currently studying in the People’s Republic of China, only 10 are affected by the specific scholarship-related issues that have attracted public attention.

“Any attempt to present this matter as a crisis affecting the entire Gambian student population in China is grossly misleading and factually incorrect,” the statement said.

The Embassy further clarified that the affected students initially travelled to China under self-sponsorship arrangements and were not beneficiaries of government-to-government scholarships or any sponsorship facilitated by Gambian government institutions at the time of their arrival.

It said this key detail has largely been omitted from public discussions, contributing to what it described as a distorted narrative of the situation.

Despite this, the Embassy said it intervened on humanitarian grounds and in good faith by engaging the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology through official diplomatic channel.

These efforts, the statement noted, included formal correspondence, follow-ups, consultations and guidance to the students, even though their cases fell outside formal scholarship frameworks.

The Embassy categorically rejected claims that no concrete resolution has been achieved, stressing that the Government of The Gambia did not originally sponsor the students in question.

“The allegation that the Government prepared and sent these students without resolving their scholarship issues is false and misleading,” the statement said.

It added that tuition fees and stipends for the 2024–2025 academic year have been fully settled, while stipends for the 2025–2026 academic year have already been paid.

According to the Embassy, the only outstanding issue relates to the tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year, which are yet to be settled.

The delay, the Embassy explained, is linked to budgetary cycles and fiscal constraints faced by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology due to competing national priorities.

The Embassy expressed regret that some individuals chose to take their grievances to the media instead of engaging constructively through established channels, despite advice from the Embassy.

It described this approach as irresponsible and counterproductive, warning that it undermines ongoing efforts by both the Embassy and the Government to protect the welfare of Gambian students abroad.

Reaffirming its commitment to Gambian nationals in China, the Embassy said it would continue to provide assistance within the limits of its mandate but would not tolerate attempts to damage its integrity or that of the Government through misinformation or public pressure.

The Embassy also urged the media and the public to rely on verified and accurate information, calling on Gambian students to engage with the Embassy with honesty, responsibility and mutual respect.

By Adama Makasuba