Seychelles-China Day celebrations officially launched |09 February 2018

Activities to mark the fifth Seychelles-China Day officially kicked off at the Eden Bleu hotel yesterday evening with both China and Seychelles hailing the long-standing and fruitful bilateral relations between the two countries.

Officially opened by the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Seychelles, Yu Jinsong, the festival coincides with the 2018 Chinese Spring Festival reception, an important event on the Chinese calendar. From February 16, the Chinese will celebrate the Year of the Dog, which is considered as a loyal friend of mankind and symbol of faith.

Also present at the launch ceremony were Vice-President Vincent Meriton; Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon;  the Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture, Mitcy Larue and other government ministers; the chairman of the Chinese Association of Seychelles, Charlie Ng Ping Cheun; members of the National Assembly and other local and Chinese dignitaries.

The evening culminated with dance and acrobatic performances by a female group dance ‘Mother Butterfly’ and acrobatics show ‘Ballet on the Shoulders’.

Commending Seychelles’ various achievements in maintaining steady national development in the economy, society, culture and many other fields, Mrs Yu said Seychelles has also been at the forefront of regional and international issues such as tackling climate change and combating piracy.

“China-Seychelles relations also maintained a good momentum of development in the past year,” she said, mentioning Mr Meriton’s visit to China in December last year which she said promoted political mutual trust and pragmatic bilateral cooperation.

The ambassador also hailed her country’s major achievements and also more good things that China will venture in in the near future for both the country and the world at large.

For her part Minister Larue said: “The celebration of such an event is a reminder 150 years ago when the Chinese merchants landed on our shores contributing  their fair share to the development of our Seychellois Creole culture and the beginning of the  development of a long lasting friendship between our two countries.”

She reminded all not to forget the help received from the Chinese government through difficult and good times where China has been a faithful friend and partner in the development of our nation.

“It is only through unity that both the local Chinese community and Seychelles as a country can reach greater heights,” said the minister.

She also made special mention of this year’s Chinese New Year dedicated to the dog and described it as yet another testimony of the excellent bilateral cooperation that exists between the two countries.

Chairman Charlie Ng Ping Cheun welcomed all present for the opening ceremony and also invited them to the Chinese bazaar tomorrow.

The Seychelles-China Day celebrations continue today with an artistic show by the Guizhou Song and Dance Theatre performances at 7pm at the ICCS auditorium and the Chinese bazaar starting at 11am at the ICCS car park.

Some of the performances