Welcome à la Creole awaits Chinese President Hu Jintao |09 February 2007
He will later today be hosted by President and Mrs Natalie Michel to a banquet at the Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel.
“On Saturday (tomorrow) the President will get down to intensive work; he will hold a series of bilateral meetings, whereupon there will be the signing of five agreements at State House,” Mr Butler-Payette said, adding that the visit of President Hu is a landmark in the history of Seychelles, being the first ever by a Chinese President.
He noted that the relations between the two countries were established just over 30 years ago.
“China was one of the first countries to establish relations with Seychelles. Since then, the relations we are seeing have grown from strength to strength and those relations have certainly been strengthened by visits by our leaders. Those from Seychelles to Beijing, and Chinese leaders to Victoria,” he said.
“We are extremely proud and honoured, that President Hu has chosen Seychelles as one of the countries he is visiting and the last country that he visits before the Chinese Head of State leaves for China,” he said, announcing that Seychelles is about to open a diplomatic mission in China.
“We all look forward to hosting President Hu,” Mr Butler-Payette said.
Besides meeting members of the Chinese Embassy and Chinese based in Seychelles, President Hu will visit one of the housing projects constructed with Chinese Government assistance. He will also visit the Botanical Gardens at Mont Fleuri.
President Hu’s delegation will depart Seychelles for China late tomorrow afternoon.