Chinese embassy bids farewell to outgoing Ambassador Guo Wei |12 January 2023
Reception commemorates Chinese Spring Festival
The embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Seychelles yesterday held a reception at Eden Blue to commemorate the 2023 Chinese Spring Festival, and as a farewell in honour of outgoing Chinese Ambassador Guo Wei.
The ceremony was attended by President Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif and wife Stella Afif, numerous government ministers, officials and dignitaries.
Ambassador Guo Wei in her address expressed gratitude towards the government and Seychellois people for the support during the performance of her duties over the past four years. In particular, she thanked the State House, ministries, most notably the Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Affairs, the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and Police, for continuous support extended towards the embassy and its various works.
“Our Seychellois counterparts, with professionalism, hard work, enthusiasm, efficiency, commitment and sense of responsibility have ensured our cooperation in all areas advanced smoothly to the best results,” the ambassador said.
“Thank you for attaching high importance to developing relations with China, and regarding me and the Chinese people as most trustworthy partners, friends and sisters,” Ambassador Guo said.
Ambassador Guo’s tenure in office comes to an end next week.
Over the past four years the China-Seychelles brotherhood based on mutual respect and equality has improved, she added, and “bilateral relations have grown stronger than ever, with more vitality and dynamism”.
Despite the implications of the Covid pandemic, two agreements on cooperation were signed, and numerous projects realised with the support of the Chinese government have come to fruition, while others are advancing.
Among the projects are the Corgate Estate housing project which was completed in August 2020, and the progressing SBC House and La Gogue dam projects.
The Chinese embassy also reconstructed the Baie Ste Anne Praslin playground, among other projects, all of which will serve to “boost the economic and social development of Seychelles in the future”, she said.
Significant strides have been made in advancing bilateral relations between Seychelles and China over the past year. In 2022, some Seychellois youths have been awarded scholarships by the Chinese government, and are pursuing their studies in China. The local Chinese community also successfully inaugurated the long-delayed Chinese Cultural Centre last year, with the efforts of the Chinese embassy.
Speaking of the recent developments in China, Ambassador Guo noted that China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has exceeded USD ($) 17.7 trillion, accounting for over 18 percent of the global total. China’s manufacturing sector is the largest in the world, as are its foreign exchange reserves and total volume of trade in goods.
“Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith and with a commitment to the greater good and shared interests, China endeavours to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries. China-Africa cooperation has reached a new level,” Ambassador Guo added.
With the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit, Ambassador Guo seized the opportunity to extend greetings and best wishes to all citizens, and the local Chinese community.
In concluding her address, she proposed a toast to the friendship between the Chinese and Seychellois peoples, and the Chinese New Year.
For his part, Minister for Tourism and Foreign Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde, said that the very values that underpin the Chinese Spring Festival, namely, family values, friendship and social harmony, are the very values that characterise the excellent cooperation between China and Seychelles.
“The friendship that binds our two countries is based on mutual trust and an intimate understanding of each other's commitments and expectations,” Minister Radegonde said.
“I remain convinced that the light of the vision of our two Heads of State, President Wavel Ramkalawan and President Xi Jinpiing, our relations of friendship and cooperation will only become more concrete in its multiple dimensions,” Minister Radegonde said.
The minister went on to thank Ambassador Guo for all she has done for the Seychelles and its people throughout her mission, and the legacy that she will leave behind, one which will see both China and Seychelles advancing forward together, both as winners in a partnership based on common efforts to overcome development challenges, and towards a fairer, equitable world.
“I therefore express to you my sincere thanks and warm congratulations for the work carried out, while also telling you of the pleasure and satisfaction that have been mine, and those of all my collaborators, to have worked with you,” Minister Radegonde added.
In concluding his address, he conveyed gratitude to Ambassador Guo and the government of China for having always respected that even as a small island nation, Seychelles has its own policies and stance regarding certain issues, and respecting the stance of the Seychelles government at all times.
On behalf of President Ramkalawan and the people of Seychelles, Minister Radegonde proposed a toast to the outgoing ambassador, wishing all the Chinese people a prosperous Chinese New Year ahead.
Our selection of photos show some highlights of the ceremony.
Laura Pillay
Photos by Louis Toussaint
