Seychelles-China Day officially launched |01 February 2014

The first ever Seychelles-China Day was officially launched at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay resort yesterday evening by the Minister for Finance, Trade and Investment Pierre Laporte.

The event coincided with the Chinese New Year, which Minister Laporte described as a time of great significance for uniting with families and meeting with friends.

In his opening remarks Minister Laporte began by wishing Chinese ambassador Shi Zhonjhung, members of the Chinese embassy and of the Chinese community in Seychelles a happy new year in the Year of the Horse 2014 on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and of the government of Seychelles .

“Seychelles and China have enjoyed a long and lasting friendship over many years, in fact since Seychelles established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on June 30, 1976, a day after the Independence of Seychelles from British colonial rule. Seychelles is a country that will keep its friends and will share continuous cordial relations for as long as we are helping to promote social, economic, political and cultural ties between our two nations,” Minister Laporte said.

He said that in order to further foster the spirit of understanding, cooperation and exchange on all diplomatic fronts, let us centre this new year working together for the benefit of both our countries and peoples.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Culture has over the years organised festivals and celebrations to recognise and reconnect us to our ethnic and cultural origins so as to discover who we are as a people and where we come from. Our roots can be traced back to the French, British, Africans, Indians as well as the Chinese, all of which we have celebrated in various festivals,” the minister said, making reference to the Semaine de la Francophonie, FetAfrik, Commonwealth Day, Seychelles-India Day and now the Seychelles-China Day which was launched yesterday and which will complete our circle of friendship with the five nations that make up our cultural and ethnic origins.

“The Seychelles-China cultural exchange agreement has ensured the steady flow of interactions between our two countries which has brought Chinese culture to the Seychelles through performances by artistic groups and acrobatic troupes,” he said.

Minister Laporte also noted the various fields in which China has helped Seychelles, be it in scholarships or cultural exchanges, as well as the cooperation between the two countries which has helped in the development of our country.

On his part Ambassador Shi wished everyone a Happy Chinese New Year as it was the first day of the Chinese Lunar New year.

He made reference to the first Chinese settlers to the Seychelles and their contribution to the cultural development of the country.

“The Chinese community brought not only Chinese culture but also contributed greatly to the building of Seychelles,” said the ambassador.

“The Seychelles-China Day is in part to commemorate their contribution and they deserve our deepest respects and appreciation,” he said.

He said the Seychelles-China Day shows once again the good friendship which will keep moving forward with the joint efforts by the people and government of the two countries and by all members of the Chinese community here.

During his speech the Chinese ambassador read part of a letter sent by President James Michel to China and the Chinese community on this occasion.

Seychelles ambassador to China, Philip Legal, sent a special video message for the occasion in which he mentioned a book he has written and which will be published in Beijing soon. A copy of the book was given to the principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rose by Ambassador Shi.

Charlie Ng Ping Cheun, chairman of the Seychelles Chinese Association, named some famous actors that were born in the year of the horse, explained in more details the programme of the celebrations and also wished everyone a happy new year.

Activities for the Seychelles-China Day continue today with the laying of the foundation stone for a new Pagoda on Benezet Street. This will be followed at 11am by a fair and photo exhibition at the Pagoda.

Tomorrow there will be Lion Dance, food fair and musical show at the ICCS car park starting at 12 noon (for the general public), an artistic show by the Liaoning Provincial Art Group at the ICCS hall at 3pm (by invitation), culminating with a lottery draw.