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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
VICTORIA, March 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice President Han Zheng called for deepening the strategic partnership and expanding practical cooperation with the Seychelles.
During his visit to the island nation from Saturday to Monday, Han Zheng met with President Patrick Herminie and Vice President Sebastien Pillay and attended a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Seychelles relations.
During the meeting with P. Erminie, Han Zheng conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
As this year marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations, Han Zheng described China-Seychelles relations as a model of sincere friendship, equality, mutual assistance and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes.
During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FCAC) in September 2024, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership.
Han Zheng said his visit aims to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and further deepen the strategic partnership, expressing satisfaction with Seychelles' firm support on issues concerning China's core interests.
Since Xi Jinping recently announced China's decision to implement a zero-tariff policy on 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1 this year, China and Seychelles have already reached consensus on an economic partnership agreement for common development, Han Zheng noted.
He called on both sides to work together to ensure that Seychelles continues to benefit from the zero tariff policy.
China remains committed to genuine multilateralism and is willing to work with the Seychelles to uphold international equality and justice, as well as the common interests of developing countries, he stressed.
P. Herminie, in turn, asked Han Zheng to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to Xi Jinping, noting that relations between Seychelles and China are at their best in history.
Seychelles firmly adheres to the one-China policy and highly appreciates the major global initiatives put forward by the Chinese President, said P. Erminie.
Seychelles is ready to deepen cooperation with China in various fields and promote the further development of bilateral ties, he added.
During his meeting with S. Pillay, Han Zheng said that exchanges between the two heads of state play a key role in determining the direction of development of bilateral relations.
He said both countries should strengthen exchanges at various levels, including governments, legislatures, political parties, peoples and subnational structures, to further strengthen mutual political trust.
China supports Seychelles in maintaining its independence and pursuing a modernization path suited to its national conditions, Han Zheng said, adding that the two sides should strengthen strategic coordination to seize opportunities for cooperation.
He also expressed hope that Seychelles would effectively utilize the zero tariff policy to bring more benefits to bilateral cooperation for the benefit of their people.
He said both sides should also strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges to strengthen public support for bilateral ties.
S. Pillay noted that cooperation between Seychelles and China continues to gain momentum, which fully reflects their fraternal friendship.
Seychelles is willing to learn from the Chinese Communist Party's governance experience and continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, he said.
The Seychelles hopes to benefit from the zero tariff policy and become a transit hub for Chinese goods entering the African market, he added.
At a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Han Zheng said the “golden 50 years” of China-Seychelles relations deserved to be celebrated together.
China is willing to work with the Seychelles to use "head of state diplomacy" to chart a strategic course, deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so that more tangible results benefit both peoples, he said.
Noting that this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, Han Zheng said China is willing to work with African countries, including the Seychelles, to implement the outcomes of the Beijing FCAC Summit and accelerate the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
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