A taste of two nations: Seychelles and China bond over spices and dumplings |30 March 2026
A taste of two nations: Seychelles and China bond over spices and dumplings
There is an old saying that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. On March 20, the Pagoda was transformed into a busy and exciting kitchen of diplomacy, where the aroma of Seychellois grilled fish met the comforting scent of Chinese dumplings.
The China-Seychelles culinary cultural exchange event was not just about filling plates; it was about honoring a 50-year-old friendship. Co-hosted by the Association for the Promotion of Friendship between Seychelles and China, the Confucius Institute, and the 20th China Medical Team, the afternoon proved that while mountains and seas may separate our lands, a good meal brings us home.
Vincent Meriton, chairman of the Association and former Vice President, opened the festivities with a heartfelt reminder that food is a "bond" that brings people closer. His sentiments were echoed by Zhang Jianmei, director of the Confucius Institute, who noted that this “dialogue of taste is a vibrant tribute to the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two nations. As we look toward the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, this event served as a delicious precursor to a year of deep cultural connection.”
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