Seychelles welcomes the Chinese New Year with diplomatic reception |30 January 2026

Minister Jeremie and Ambassador Lin Nan during the handover of supplies for the China-aided construction and implementation of South-South Cooperation low-carbon demonstration zone to address climate change

To mark the arrival of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, a reception was held yesterday evening at the Chinese ambassador’s residence, Panda House, Sans Soucis.

Present was the President of the Republic, Dr Patrick Herminie and First Lady Veronique Herminie; Vice- President Sebastien Pillay and his wife Lina Pillay; Speaker of the National Assembly honourable Azarel Ernesta; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Rony Govinden; President of the Court of Appeal Justice Anthony Fernando; Former President Danny Faure and ministers.

In her opening address, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Seychelles, Lin Nan, shared that the festival is far more than a holiday; it marks the transition from winter to spring. “Recognised by Unesco as an intangible culture heritage, the spring festival has become an official and widely celebrated holiday,” she said  To continue reading, please click here to subscribe to Seychelles NATION’s e copy