On the morning of Friday 21st June 2024, a delegation of the Shandong Provincial People’s Congress of the People's Republic of China paid a Courtesy Call on the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Roger Mancienne. The Speaker was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Gervais Henrie, Clerk to the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac, and Deputy Clerk Ms. Alexandria Faure. The delegation was led by the Vice-Chairman of the Shandong Provincial People's Congress Mr. Fan Huaping, who was accompanied by various delegates including the Director-General of the Ethnic, Overseas Chinese and Foreign Affairs Committee Mr. Liu Guitang, Deputy Director-General of the Health Commission Mr. Mu Shanyong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Mr. Liu Zhenjie, and the Deputy Director of the African Affairs Division Mr. Wang Liang, amongst others.
The Hon. Speaker welcomed the delegation to Seychelles, noting that it was a positive opportunity for a discussion of the mutual areas of interest shared between Seychelles and China, including but not limited to healthcare, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture. Hon. Mancienne remarked that the similarities in the geographical characteristics between Shandong and Seychelles, particularly the coastal environment, established a mutual understanding and familiarity between the two regions.
Vice-Chairman Huaping thanked the Speaker for the warm welcome, remarking that Seychelles is a nation of exceptional natural beauty and culture. The Vice-Chairman introduced the socio-economic factors of the Eastern Province of Shandong by presenting various statistics on areas of significance such as population growth, trade, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, and tourism. It was strongly emphasised that Seychelles remains of great importance to the People’s Republic of China, with a historical legacy of cooperation and great relations particularly in the field of healthcare and infrastructure development which have contributed to the modernisation of Seychelles. Vice-Chairman Huaping called for increased relations on the legislative level, encompassing exchanges and the sharing of experiences between the parliamentary bodies.
Deputy Speaker Hon. Henrie extended his thanks to the delegation for their visit, following the recent visit of the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Cai Dafeng. Hon. Henrie noted that China-Seychelles relations have remained steadfast and mutually cooperative, with China continuing to display its commitment to development and growth. Hon. Henrie paralleled the sentiments of the Vice-Chairman for a more developed legislative relationship which would be of great benefit to both nations.
Both parties firmly expressed their thanks for the opportunity to meet. Tokens of appreciation were exchanged, before the fruitful meeting concluded.
