MELAKA: China is offering 1,000 additional scholarships to Malaysian post-technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students to undergo training there, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said identified students would be sent to China for between three months and a year to be trained in various fields relating to TVET under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"The Chinese government will fully finance the courses, accommodation and other expenses for the students.

"These slots will be distributed among the TVET institutions in the country," Ahmad Zahid told reporters after launching the Place and Train Programme at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka in Durian Tunggal here on Tuesday (Jan 16).

He said Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will pay for the return air tickets of these TVET students if they have to come up with the fares to China.