Chinese Embassy Hosts Seychellois Women for International Day

VICTORIA, Seychelles, The Chinese embassy in Seychelles yesterday evening hosted a group of Seychellois and Chinese women at its residence in St Louis, to mark International Women’s Day being celebrated today, March 8. The aim of the reception was to bring the women together so they could interact and share in a relaxed ambience while they enjoy the Chinese culture in terms of traditional music, art, medicine and cuisine. The gathering formed part of a wider set of diplomatic events to mark the day, and it offered an opportunity to deepen the longstanding friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

It was Ambassador Lin Nan who welcomed First Lady Linda Ramkalawan and the other women ministers, principal secretaries, diplomats, business leaders and other eminent women figures in the country, to the reception. In her welcoming remarks, Ambassador Lin said that as the backbone of society, the most important aspect of women is that they are the contributors to the progress of nations, and promoters of economic and social development in various countries. She noted that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the implementation of gender equality policy, and is committed to making every woman shine in her pursuit of a happy life.

Ambassador Lin stated that she was happy to learn that Seychellois women shouldered more responsibilities in the course of national development, and added that while the day is a moment for celebration for the achievements of women worldwide, it was also a moment to reflect on how to further tap into the potential of women and to empower them. She said she looks forward to working closely with all Seychellois female friends and colleagues to further strengthen relations and promote women’s development jointly and build a community with a shared future for mankind. She also expressed her belief that such gatherings help build mutual understanding and lasting cooperation between the two nations.

For her part, First Lady Ramkalawan stated that while the country has achieved a lot in terms of women enjoying the same legal, political, economic and social rights as men, Seychelles is yet to close the gender wage gap and improve women’s participation in politics which is very obvious in Cabinet and the National Assembly. She added that while the country also puts emphasis on promoting gender equality, women also have to be mindful that their rise is not about the fall of men or having power over men but rather having power over themselves. She noted that when speaking about gender parity, it must be ensured that one gender is not left behind.

The remarks by the two distinguished ladies was followed by the presentation of the benefit of acupuncture by the Chinese medical team working here, a Chinese traditional medical treatment used for centuries. There was also a display by the Confucius Institute of Chinese calligraphy, a century old art in script writing unique in the Chinese culture. The evening ended with a short Chinese music cultural performance and light Chinese buffet, leaving guests with a memorable impression of cultural exchange between the two nations.