Seychelles-China Reach Visa Exemption Deal

　　June 30 this year marks the 37th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republicof Seychelles. Prior to this occasion, governments of the two countries reached a mutual visa exemption agreementon May 6, the first of its kind between China and an African country. Under the agreement, citizens of both sidesin possession of valid passports can enjoy visa-free travel between the two countries for a period of up to 30 days. Ina recent interview with CCTV, James Quincy Liao, first Chinese-Seychellois Chairman of the Seychelles and ChinaFriendship Association, shared his views on the thriving bilateral relations. Excerpts follow:

　　CCTV: How will the visa exemption policy benefitfuture exchanges in bilateral investments, trade,business and tourism?

　　James Quincy Liao: The agreement means peoplecontacts and exchanges between the two countries willbe much easier. It has brought tangible benefits to peoplefrom both China and Seychelles as an international model ofnational equality and the two sides will take this as an opportunityto advance bilateral, friendly and pragmatic cooperation,investment and trade, commerce and tourism.

　　Looking at the friendship history between the twocountries, the very next day after the independence of theRepublic of Seychelles, our country established diplomaticrelationship with the People’s Republic of China. Since then,we have had exchanges of high-level visits, especially ourPresident James Michel who has visited China officially andunofficially more than 10 times.

　　The Chinese Ambassador in Seychelles Shi Zhongjunhas supported a pragmatic cooperation to promote friendlyexchanges between the two governments, especially via promotionof economic and trade cooperation. Therefore theagreement on mutual exemption of visa will be favorable andplay a big coordinating role between the two countries in thefield of international cooperation and international trade andinternational investment, especially in the Seychelles, whichis an Indian Ocean island nation, located within Europe, Asia,Africa and adjacent to the Middle East. With globalization ofeconomies, trade, business and tourism, the agreement canbenefit shipping and cargo, networks, efficient service, tradeand investment of Chinese enterprises and Chinese tourismto the Seychelles.

　　Specificallyhow does this agreement impact oninvestment, trade, commerce and tourism withChina?

　　As everyone knows, China’s economic development is leadingthe world economy. Seychelles supports this developmentin the areas of shipping, investment , trade, business,tourism and financial services, and the offshore serviceaspects of globalization development of enterprises andindividuals. Our government has decided to build a nationalplan to improve the relevant offshore service law anddeveloped a tax and business service regulation, relating toland and marine use.

　　New regulations were recently launched in April this yearon an offshore oil exploration bid, where companies interestedin the same block can compete with quotations within90 days. At the same time the Project of Seychelles Airportexpansion, civil water supply, garbage disposal, island development,investment, hotel and shopping mall constructionwill seek foreign investment, including from China. Seychellesforeign investment trade representatives will cooperate fullywith the Seychelles national trade and investment plan, andthis year will focus on publishing a handbook of Seychellesinvestment trade in Chinese, cooperating with the SeychellesInvestment Bureau to hold an investment and trade summitin Guangdong and in Beijing. The summit will be hosted byChinese Investment Entrepreneur and Trade Forum andwill organize six delegations of Chinese investors to visitSeychelles.

　　At the same time, Air Seychelles has opened its AbuDhabi route to Hong Kong this year, effectively shorteningthe Hong Kong, Macao air time, and in particular the timeto the world manufacturing and trade center of GuangdongProvince. This will help business and tourism in Guangdong,and provide the Seychelles with a service platform and centralChina Africa base for trade and investment in Africa.

　　What are your views on Seychelles and China achieving 37 years of diplomatic relations?

　　The Republic of Seychelles and China have reached 37 yearsof diplomatic relations due to the personal contributionsof generations of leaders of the two countries, along withpeople from all walks of life. Mutual respect and understanding,in political, economic and cultural cooperation hasachieved progress and mutual support in international andregional issues. In recent years, especially since the 2006Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit andPresident Michel’s visit to China, rapid development of bilateralrelations have been achieved culminating in the groundbreaking visa exemption agreement this year. The understandingbetween the two peoples grow with each passingday. There is reason to believe that the relationship betweenthe two countries will strengthen in the future. I look forwardto increased investment, trade and tourism and internationalcooperation between the two countries. CA