Seychelles Hosts Reception to Mark Chinese Spring Festival and New Ambassador
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Chinese Spring Festival of 2024 was celebrated with a welcoming reception honouring the new Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, Ambassador Lin Nan, at the Eden Bleu Hotel on Monday evening. The reception was attended by a number of dignitaries, including President Wavel Ramkalawan and Vice President Ahmed Afif, ministers, members of the National Assembly including the leader of government business Bernard Georges and the leader of the opposition Sebastian Pillay, as well as members of the diplomatic corps. The gathering was the first major public event for Ambassador Lin Nan since her accreditation in December 2023.
In her address, Ambassador Lin Nan noted that the spring festival has been listed as a United Nations official holiday. Furthermore, she cited that in Chinese culture, dragon symbolises auspiciousness, strength and success. Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my best wishes to Seychellois friends, in particular the Chinese community, for a happy new year, said Ambassador Lin Nan. She also commended the country’s response to the December 7 disaster, during which the Seychellois people worked hard to rebuild their homes and businesses, demonstrating solidarity and strong resilience.
Most notably, Ambassador Lin Nan stated that her mission in the country is to promote bilateral friendship and practical cooperation, building a China-Seychelles community with a shared future characterised by an even stronger bond. She noted that with the hospitality accorded to her by the Seychelles government and people, and with the sound working relations, she has full confidence that the China-Seychelles relations will be elevated to a new height. Since diplomatic ties with Seychelles started 48 years ago, the friendship has become a model for sincerity, equality, solidarity and cooperation between countries of different sizes, added Ambassador Lin Nan.
Ambassador Lin Nan also discussed the broader trajectory of China’s economy, noting that its gross domestic product grew 5.2 percent and reached 126 trillion, contributing to over 170 countries and regions. Its manufacturing sector has topped the world in size for 14 years in a row, and the output accounted for over 30 percent of the world total. China’s innovation capabilities continued to improve in 2023, with the number of high-tech enterprises increasing to about 466,000. China is committed to pursue high quality development, and its doors will open to the world wider and wider.
The new ambassador also briefly discussed the history of China, stating that the country is on a path of rejuvenation, on all fronts, to modernisation. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, all of which were proposed by the President of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, have taken root and borne fruits, providing more Chinese insight, better Chinese input, and greater Chinese strength to the noble cause of human peace and development. She also mentioned that China’s relations with the African continent is brimming with vibrancy and hope. The reception ended with a performance by the National Choir and a traditional lion dance.
