On the afternoon of Wednesday 23rd October 2024, a high-level delegation led by Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) H.E. Mr. Mu Hong, paid a Courtesy Call on the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Roger Mancienne. Accompanying the Hon. Speaker was the Deputy Speaker Hon. Gervais Henrie, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sebastien Pillay, Chairperson of the International Affairs Committee Hon. Waven William, Chairperson and Members of the Seychelles-China Friendship Group Hon. Sandy Arissol, Clerk to the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac, and Deputy Clerk Ms. Alexandria Faure. H.E. Mr. Mu was accompanied by several officials of the CPPCC, including the Vice-Chairman of Executive Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee and Deputy Head of the China-Africa Friendship Group H.E. Mr. Wang Min.
Hon. Mancienne welcomed the delegation to Seychelles, expressing his pleasure in receiving H.E. Mr. Mu at the National Assembly and noting that the Assembly has had the honour this year of hosting multiple delegations of China. The Speaker recounted his positive experience in August 2024, as he led a delegation to the 2024 Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the SDGs for Parliaments of Developing Countries hosted in Beijing, China. These forms of parliamentary cooperation serve to underscore the sustained relationship between Seychelles and China. With such areas of mutual cooperation such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, health, and maritime security, China has been a reliable and respected partner of the Seychelles; Hon. Mancienne conveyed his sincerest congratulations on the prosperous socioeconomic developments of China and strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations.
Leader of the Opposition Hon. Pillay took the opportunity to thank the delegation for their visit, remarking that although the sizes of the respective countries differ so vastly, shared values have served to create the basis for a long-standing connection. Hon. Sandy Arissol, on behalf of the Seychelles-China Friendship Group, remarked that “we often speak of our past, but now we must look towards our future”, pledging the support of the National Assembly in the promotion of people-to-people contact between China and the Seychelles, particularly in the culture and tourism sectors.
H.E. Mr. Mu Hong expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome to the Seychelles parliament, remarking that Seychelles is a pearl of the Indian Ocean offering not only exceptional beauty but bountiful opportunities. The strength of the bilateral relations between China and Seychelles was emphasised, with the recent meeting of President Xi Jinping and President Wavel Ramkalawan illustrating the fruitful discussions for mutual growth. The plans for direct air travel between the two countries was also discussed, with the prospects of increased tourism and cultural exchanges, as well as capacity-building and training opportunities.
H.E. Mr. Mu also gave a brief detail on the mandate of the CPPCC, noting the importance of representation and the inclusion of a broad political and religious spectrum for the most effective proposals on societal and political development nationwide. The Vice-Chairman noted the importance of reinforcing the relationship with the legislature of Seychelles, amongst the many other vital partners of the People’s Republic of China. During the visit to Seychelles, the delegation noted visits and meetings with stakeholders such as those in the agricultural, fisheries, tourism, and health sectors.
The meeting then came to a close with both the Hon. Speaker Mancienne and Vice-Chairperson H.E. Mr. Mu expressing their thanks for the opportunity to meet and reinforce the strong friendship between China and Seychelles. Following the meeting, the Hon. Speaker offered the delegation a tour of the Chamber of the House, and closed with a souvenir photograph.
