On 30th June, 2023, Mr. Mu Jianfeng, Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles held the Media Briefing in Commemoration of the 47th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-Seychelles Diplomatic Relations. The mainstream media houses of Seychelles, namely the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, the Nation, and the Independent reported on the event. The full text of Chargé d'affaires Mr. Mu Jianfeng’s speech at the briefing is as follows:
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to the Chinese embassy. Yesterday, we celebrated the 47th anniversary of the independence of Seychelles together. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to congratulate the Seychelles people on your great achievements made over the past 47 years.
On the following day of Seychelles’ independencein 1976, China and Seychelles established diplomatic relations. So, today marks the 47th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping is attaching great importance to our bilateral relations, he pointed out that the traditional friendship between our two countries have been stronger than ever, and he is ready to make joint efforts with his counterpart, President Wavel Ramkalawan, to strengthen mutual support, deepen pragmatic cooperation and boost people-to-people ties, so as to bring more benefits to our two peoples.
In this regard, I would like to give a brief introduction on the achievements of our cooperation in the past and share my vision of our cooperation and friendship in the near future.
Over the past 47 years, we have deepened mutual trust and supported each other on numerous issues. Holding dear to the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, we worked together to foster the formation of a fairer and more equitable international system, and safeguard the common interest of developing countries. In Seychelles, you are committed to building a “Seychelles for all its children”. In China, we are devoted to the people first approach to development and modernization. In the cause of bringing prosperity and happiness to our peoples, we are brothers, friends and partners, and our relationship serves as the model of countries in different size.
Over the past decades, we have successfully completed many cooperation projects. China has been providing assistance to Seychelles to the utmost of its capacity.The National Assembly, Palais de Justice, Anse Royale Hospital, National Swimming Pool, just to name some of them. The China-aided SBC project, despite some delays, will be completed this year. Since 1985, more than 100 Chinese doctors have been providing service for the Seychellois. All of these have contributed to the social and economic development of Seychelles. I must point out that facing the threat of COVID-19, China provided valuable medical supplies to our Seychellois friends, which once again showcased our brotherhood. In addition to China aid, the Chinese contractors have actively participated in the economic development of Seychelles. On June 28, La Gogue Dam was officially unveiled by President Wavel Ramkalawan, which will help the local community strengthen water security. Tourism is the mainstay of Seychelles economy. Before the Covid-19, more than10 thousand tourists came every year from China, and charted flights were opened directly between Chinese cities and Seychelles. We look forward to the returning of Chinese tourists this year.
Chinese culture is an integral part of Seychelles multi-cultural society, and our two peoples are relatives in many cases. Cultural and People-to-people exchange are the most prominent part of our relations. Over the past years, nearly 200 Seychellois students have been awarded Chinese Government Scholarship and went to China to further their study. Bilateral exchanges between sister cities and in academia, media and youth have also been continuously promoted. In Seychelles, the "Seychelles-China Day" has been successfully held for ten years since 2014, which is warmly welcomed by local people. The Confucius Institute in UniSey have been working hard to help Seychellois to learn Chinese. The Chinese-Bridge (Chinese Proficiency) Competition has attracted participation of many Seychellois young friends. On 30 and 31 May, 2023, under the initiative of Chinese First Lady Pro. Peng Liyuan and Organization of African First Ladies for Development, the Chinese Embassy was honored to organize the Warm Children’s Hearts event, with the participation of Seychelles First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, bringing joys and happiness to the local orphans. The embassy is also providing support to the Liam’s Rainbow Foundation and Festival Zanfan over the past years, and so we did this year.
Dear Colleagues,
With COVID-19 no longer a public health emergency, we are entering a new era. There are challenges in front of us such as instability in international politics, uncertainties in worldgrowth, and the challenge of climate change, maritime security. At the same time, there are opportunities.The digital revolution is transforming the world, and globalization is gaining new momentum with the rapid growth of emerging and developing countries. The biggest opportunity comes from China, whose economy is projected to grow by 5.4% and contribute to more than 30% of world growth. The big Chinese market is open to the world.
In the coming years, it is imperative for China and Seychelles to seize the opportunities and address challenges hand in hand.
We should jointly promote the peace and development cause.Big or small, all countries have the obligation to uphold the principle and purpose of the UN Charter, and safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. We should make our respectivecontribution to world peace and common development, and make sure that the interest of developing countries be fully respected and protected on the international stage.
We are willing to tap the potential in bilateral practical cooperation. In addition to China aid projects, we must enrich our cooperation and make full use of our respective advantages. In the field of blue economy, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, we can undertake more cooperation. And we will encourage more export from Seychelles to Chinese market, and more tourists from China to visit Seychelles. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, we can continue to explore cooperation on infrastructure upgrading. With the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, we are ready to work with Seychelles to realize UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, address the challenge of climate change, and build a global community of development.
We are ready to promote people-to-people exchanges to a new level. The Chinese government will continue to provide scholarship to Seychellois students to study in China. We will support the work of Confucius Institute and encourage more Seychellois to learn Chinese. In line with the principles of Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, we will hold more cultural events both in Seychelles and China, with a view to strengthening mutual understanding and advancing the progress and development of human civilizations.
We will continue our cooperation and mutual support on the international stage. China and Seychelles are both committed to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity. We appreciate that the Seychelles government and people firmly support one-China policy. In terms of maritime security, China will render its support to Seychelles in combating pirate and drug, human trafficking,and jointly implement the Global Security Initiative in Africa. As the world's largest developing country, China fully understand the development needs of small island countries and their unique vulnerability. In this regard, we support the formulation of Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), and help to address the concerns of small island developing countries.
China is ready to work together with Seychelles to take our relations to a new level and build a community with a shared future for both sides.
