New book on Chinese community in Seychelles officially launched |03 December 2022

The launch ceremony

‘Orient and Ocean – The Chinese community in Seychelles’ co-authored by Professor Dennys Hardy of the Institute of Peace and Diplomacy at the University of Seychelles and Wang Dongxia, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute was launched this week at the University of Seychelles (UniSey).

The event was graced by the presence of Mu Jian Feng from the Chinese embassy, the vice-chancellor of UniSey Joelle Perreau, the chairman of the Chinese Association of Seychelles Robert Chong Seng, representatives of the main Chinese families in the book, and most management of the UniSey and some lecturers from the UniSey.

Counsellor Mu Jian Feng congratulated the authors for the publication of such a book on the early history of the Chinese in Seychelles. “I am deeply impressed by the historical connection between China and Seychelles, in particular, the contribution made by the Chinese community to the economic and social development of Seychelles,” he shared.

Ms Perreau, who wrote the foreword to this book, spoke highly of the integration of Seychellois Chinese into the Seychellois society as an important contributor to society.

Mrs Wang, one of the authors, introduced the background and original intention of the collaborative research of this book, and introduced the cooperation of this project to gain an in-depth understanding of the diverse and harmonious development of Seychelles from the perspective of historical background and regional environment.

“We both are interested in the state of life of the Chinese people in this society and the efforts they make. The Chinese historical background of the first group of Chinese immigrants to Seychelles dates more than 150 years ago. After 150 years, great changes have taken place in China and the Chinese community in Seychelles still have a spiritual home – the old Pagoda and the new Chinese Cultural Centre. This is not only the story of the Chinese, it is also the story of the Seychellois. There will be more stories in the future,” she said.

Professor Hardy shared how the families collaborated during the interview process and found that the Chinese people have struggled positively to survive in Seychelles from their ancestors. “We also found that they greatly value family affection, education, and hard work. Also they kept the emotion and the notion of roots to the homeland.”

Dr Guy Ah-Moy expressed that before he did not think about the stories of his ancestors, but now through this book, he is very interested in the history of Chinese in Seychelles, and he is willing to pay more attention to this group.

Dr Ah-Moy also donated 10 books to the library of the University of Seychelles. The event was followed by a book signing ceremony and presentation.

Vidya Gappy

Photos contributed