FECAS - ECSVS Forum

Seychelles opens consulate general in Shanghai

16-October-2014
Relations between Seychelles and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) got a further boost with the official opening of Seychelles’ consulate general in Shanghai.

It was the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam who officially opened the consulate general, which will have jurisdiction over Shanghai itself and the provinces of Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.

In his remarks Minister Adam extended his gratitude to the government of the PRC, and to the Shanghai Municipal Government, which facilitated the proposal to open the consulate general.

The minister also thanked the Seychelles resident ambassador in the PRC, Philippe Le Gall and the acting head of the consulate general in Shanghai, Dr Sidney To, who were both instrumental in the setting up of the consulate general.

Minister Adam remarked that in 2007 when Seychelles opened an embassy in Beijing and its honorary consulate general in Hong Kong and Macau, visitor arrivals to Seychelles from the PRC counted barely one thousand. Last month Seychelles welcomed its 10,000th visitor, which the minister regarded as a significant figure, adding to the tourism industry of Seychelles.

The minister highlighted the joint efforts of the Seychelles embassy in the PRC, together with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and the tourism trade in Seychelles as instrumental in the drive towards this rapid improvement.

In the same vein, Minister Adam highlighted that many Seychellois now travel to Shanghai following the visa waiver agreement signed between the two countries, allowing Seychellois visa free access to China for stays up to one month, and the city is viewed as both an economic and cultural hub by Seychellois who readily travel there for both leisure and business.

In his remarks, Minister Adam stated that “Seychelles is not only a magnificent and totally safe tourist destination, among the most beautiful in the world, but also a peaceful, stable and competitive access gate to Africa and its huge market and economic resources”.

Minister Adam underscored the special relationship that Seychelles shares with the PRC and with Shanghai in particular, since taking part in the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and donating a pair of giant tortoises to Shanghai Zoo, symbolic of the longstanding friendship with the country.

Jin Xingming, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, delivered remarks on behalf of the PRC and wished the new consulate every success.

Minister Adam noted that there are currently ten Seychellois students hosted in various Universities in Shanghai and other provinces that fall under the city’s jurisdiction, a testimony to the rapport between the countries.

Besides Dr To, Mr Le Gall and Mr Jin, the other guests at the ceremony to officially open the consulate general included Hanscom Smith, consul general of the United States in Shanghai; Zhuang Youhua, chief executive of the Seychelles-China Friendship and Business Association; as well as Seychellois students currently studying in Shanghai.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243325

Community pleased with China-funded projects

17-October-2014



Officials from the English River district, together with the outgoing Chinese ambassador to Seychelles Shi Zhongjun, have visited projects that the embassy has funded for the less fortunate people in that district.

The visit, which took place earlier this week, gave the officials -- who included Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, who is also the central committee member for the English River district, Member of the National Assembly for English River Kevin Vidot and the district administrator Audrey Saunders -- the chance to view the work done under the project funded by the embassy at a cost of around R70,000.

“After assessing the demand that our residents had put forth to MNA Vidot, especially those who on their own cannot afford to take a loan and do the minor repairs on their house, our community has received help from the Chinese embassy to improve their lives,” said Minister Morgan.

“The mini projects are a chance to help make a difference in our people’s lives. I take this opportunity to thank the Chinese government in particular Ambassador Shi for the support and the help they have given us to help our residents,” Minister Morgan added.

The mini projects were done in four phases, the first of which comprised replacing the ceiling, roof and doors and repairing the interior of the houses.

The second phase entailed changing the ceiling only and doing minor repairs inside and out of the houses while the third phase comprised the living room and other little repairs.

Unlike the other phases revolving around the residents’ homes, the fourth phase will see the upgrading of the playing field opposite the Krishnamart shopping centre. There will be a changing room that will benefit the youth who will be using this field for sport activities in the future.

“These projects though they might be small are connected to the daily lives of the people here; so we are very happy that we can do our part in the development of the community, in helping improve the lives of these families,” Ambassador Shi said.

“It’s a pity that I am leaving next week and will not be able to do more than I wanted to do for the community and for the people of Seychelles. I do hope that my successor will continue this kind of work and to keep the friendship between the people of China and Seychelles strong and keep it growing,” Ambassador Shi said.
The accompanying photos show the delegation visiting the various projects.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243341

Minister Adam meets Mayor of Guangzhou
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243339

Nouvelle ambassadrice de Chine accréditée

05-November-2014


Les Seychelles et la République Populaire de Chine ont une longue et fructueuse tradition de relation diplomatique, ceci depuis l’indépendance de notre pays en 1976.

Avec l’affectation d’une nouvelle ambassadrice chinoise à Victoria en la personne de Mme Yin Lixian, un nouvel élan est promis à cette coopération. C’est ce qu’a en effet déclaré la diplomate elle-même, après avoir présenté ses lettres de créances au Président James Michel à State House hier matin.

Le Président Michel a félicité la nouvelle diplomate pour son accréditation et lui a adressé ses meilleurs vœux de succès dans l’accomplissement de sa mission.

Au cours de leurs entretiens le Chef de l’Etat seychellois et l’Ambassadrice Yin Lixian ont procédé à un large échange de vues sur les relations bilatérales ainsi que sur des questions africaines et internationales d'intérêt commun. Ils se sont réjouis de l'excellence des relations d'amitié et de coopération qui ont toujours uni les deux pays et ont réaffirmé leur volonté de les renforcer et de les approfondir conformément à l’amitié profonde et sincère, l’entente et la concertation qui ont toujours distingué ces relations.

Le Président Michel a saisi cette occasion pour remercier vivement la Chine pour l’appui constant qu’elle n’a cessé d’apporter dans le développement des infrastructures de développement socio économiques du pays, une aide visible sur terre et sur mer et qui reste, en dépit de son ampleur, encore grosse de promesses.

Dans ce contexte, il a évoqué avec la diplomate chinoise les larges possibilités de coopération dans les domaines du tourisme, de l’investissement, du commerce et autres. L’un et l’autre ont également salué et encouragé les programmes d’échanges et la promotion de la culture chinoise aux Seychelles.

Monsieur Michel a conclu ces entretiens par l’engagement de son gouvernement à travailler au renforcement des relations déjà excellentes entre les deux pays afin de leur conférer une dimension exemplaire.

A l’issue de la cérémonie protocolaire à State House Madame Yin Lixian a pour sa part expliqué à la presse, comment elle entendait travailler pour concrétiser la volonté affichée des deux pays amis à hisser leurs relations à un niveau encore plus élevé.

« Je suis très sensible aux relations entre la Chine et les Seychelles. Le Président Michel et moi sommes tous les deux satisfaits des relations qui existent entre nos deux pays et qui ont fait preuve d’un grand succès jusqu'à maintenant. Je suis convaincue qu’avec des efforts conjoints, notre relation prendra un nouvel élan et aura un bel avenir », a-t-elle souligné.

Lors de leur rencontre, le Président seychellois et la représentante chinoise ont pris le temps de discuter sur des sujets qui concernent les deux pays, notamment l’économie bleue avec la pêche en particulier et le tourisme.

Sur ce dernier point, l’ambassadrice pense que le développement de la Chine et un plus grand pouvoir d’achat de ses compatriotes permettront à ceux-ci de visiter davantage les Seychelles :

« Cette année jusqu'à octobre le nombre de touristes chinois a dépassé 12 000. Je pense que ça va continuer à augmenter. Pendant les dernières années la Chine a beaucoup développé et les Chinois ont plus de moyens qui leur permettent de voyager à l’étranger. Les Seychelles sont un très beau pays ; un lieu paradisiaque. Donc je pense que plus de touristes chinois vont venir ici ».

Même si la Chine est un immense pays comparé au tout petit qui est le nôtre, Mme Yin Lixian n’a pas caché que son pays peut également bénéficier de l’expertise seychelloise dans certains domaines, notamment dans la protection de l’environnement.

« J’ai été très impressionnée par la propreté de votre pays. La Chine peut beaucoup apprendre de vous en ce qui concerne la protection de l’environnement », a-t-elle conclu.

Lors de son passage au Palais Présidentiel, la nouvelle ambassadrice chinoise a également eu l’occasion de s’entretenir avec le Vice-Président Danny Faure. Avant de prendre ses nouvelles fonctions, elle rendra visite ce matin au président de l’Assemblée Nationale le docteur Patrick Herminie.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243536

Comment - President JA Michel, his Government and the SPPF/PL take the many issues we have addressed about China and our Exile, Diaspora workings as insignificant. For this good reason he got/found himself into big trouble /conflict with former First lady Natalie. Beside other high personalities.

We trust he reads very clearly why /China have appointed a Female Ambassador to Sechelles Seychelles - I/we will spell it for Him and then get into trouble with the White House and many USA High Interests - that BRICS world alternative to World Bank and IMF. In China bad Leaders get punished and he ought to be punished for his block - hardheadedness.

China lässt die Welt seine neue Stärke spüren

Beim Apec-Gipfel in Peking inszeniert sich Chinas Präsident als Führer einer neuen Supermacht und übt den Schulterschluss mit Putin. Für das US-Staatsoberhaupt Barack Obama bleibt nur eine Statistenrolle.

11.11.2014 | 18:15 | von unserem Korrespondenten FELIX LEE (Die Presse)

Peking. Schon einmal hatte Xi Jinping die USA düpiert. Seine erste Reise als chinesischer Staatspräsident führte ihn vor anderthalb Jahren nicht zu Barack Obama nach Washington, sondern zu Wladimir Putin in die russische Hauptstadt. Damals versuchte Washington dieser Bevorzugung Putins keine große Bedeutung beizumessen.

http://diepresse.com/home/politik/ausse ... e/index.do

Chinese firm wants to bring direct flight to Seychelles

14-November-2014


When the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) decided to move into China in 2011 and developed it as a source tourism market it was remarkable how fast this secondary market moved to become today a main key market for these mid-ocean islands.

Through proper positioning of the Seychelles as the new tourism destination for Chinese holiday makers, and by keeping Seychelles visible in the market it is widely accepted today that Seychelles is known as a great tourism destination by China and the word 'beautiful' is spelled out when anyone is questioned about the Seychelles.

Though constrained by lack of direct non-stop flights on the Seychelles-China route, the aggressive marketing approach by the island's tourism board offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the East Asian market is showing rapid signs of positive growth. Today the Chinese holiday makers are flying to Seychelles with Air Seychelles from Hong Kong, and with Etihad, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Mihin Lanka (Sri Lankan Airlines).

China is a highly sought-after market for Seychelles. Figures recorded for 2014 are in fact significant. With statistics for European markets remaining a bit fuzzy, China, Seychelles leading market for the East Asian region, continues to successfully overtake all the other island's secondary markets with a spectacular increase of 77% on a year-to-date basis.

Lined up as one of Seychelles’ top source of tourism income, the healthy growth of the Chinese market is gaining recognition, even in China. CAISSA Touristic is a Chinese tourism enterprise committed to providing quality tourism services to Chinese citizens. Founded in Hamburg, Germany, after 20 years of steady development, CAISSA, with branches in Frankfurt, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and major global cities, is now thinking of bringing non-stop direct flight between China and Seychelles.

On the first day of his working visit to China, Alain St Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, had an official one on one meeting in China with top tour operators and met Chen Xiaobing, President of CAISSA Travel Management Co.Ltd.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243642

Seychelles lures Chinese investors to its shores

14-November-2014



If the word fairy tale defines the idea for a dream wedding, the unspoiled beaches of the Seychelles and its colourful sunset definitely provides the perfect elements for an outstanding romantic ceremony setting.

In 2012, Seychelles became an amazingly memorable spot for 19 Chinese couples to say their ‘I do’ at a wedding ceremony in Seychelles.

A dream wedding for these newly-weds certainly provides unique ideas for other Chinese couples craving for a low key and secluded spot for their very own romantic wedding. Beijing Windy Feeling International Travel Service Ltd understands clearly the potential of Seychelles as a wedding destination for Chinese market.

The international travel service, which set its benchmark of “great in travel market” is making Seychelles its next destination to celebrate the wedding of 25 Chinese couples. If the project is eventually formalised, Seychelles will witness for the second consecutive time a biggest batch of Chinese couples converging to its shore for a group wedding.

Founded in 2004, Beijing Windy Feeling International Travel Service Ltd focuses on research and development of products in the Maldives, Mauritius, Bali Island, Phuket, Sri Lanka, Fiji and countries of South East of Asia.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=243641