Close-working cooperation and friendship now developed between the tropical mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles and the China International Friendship and Culture Festival organization will see 50 Chinese couples fly to Seychelles in July to get married.

The launch of the Sino-Seychellois Culture Week was made at a press conference last week at the Panju 7-Star Hotel in Beijing. The Chinese International Friendship and Culture Association spared no expense to showcase their coming Sino-Seychellois Culture week.

Mr. Cui and the Qiang Sheng Investment Group provided the needed support, and Mr. Yue Zongchao, the Executive President of the Sino-Seychellois Culture Exchange and Promotion Organizing Committee said as he addressed the press conference with the determination of his committee to work with the Seychelles government for a successful Sino-Seychellois Culture Week this coming July.

“This special culture week will boost the Seychelles’ image as a honeymoon destination, and the Chinese outbound tourism market will be better updated on Seychelles because of the expected TV coverage from the networks accompanying the 50 couples to Seychelles,” Mr. Yue Zongchao said at the press conference.

The Seychelles Ambassador to China, Mr. Philippe Le Gall, also took to the podium to address the press conference. He spoke about the long-lasting friendly ties between the Seychelles and China. Ambassador Le Gall thanked the organizers of the Sino-Seychellois Culture Week for their support of Seychelles and for the continued development of cultural and tourism ties between Seychelles and China.
Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, delivered the keynote address at the press conference in the presence of Elsia Grandcourt, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, and her staff based in the Board’s Beijing Office. He said that the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Culture Department of his Ministry would be closely associated with every stage of the program of the Sino-Seychellois Culture Week in Seychelles. He assured the Organizing Committee that his Ministry would ensure that the event in Seychelles would be tailor made to ensure it is the success it deserves to be.

Minister Alain St.Ange said in his address: “It gives me great pleasure to address you today, as it provides me with an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Seychelles to the Chinese market. Seychelles has enjoyed close ties with China for many years, and we share many things in common. In Seychelles, we have a sizeable Chinese population that has been living among us as Seychellois brothers and sisters for well over a century. When you visit our islands, you will notice their influence on our culture and on our traditions, and particularly in our delicious Creole cuisine.

“The Seychelles Tourism Board remains very interested in China and remains very interested in cementing these ties by welcoming ever-greater numbers of Chinese visitors to our shores. Already, China is Seychelles fastest-growing tourism market, and this looks to continue, as not only do we already have an Embassy and a tourism office here in Beijing, but are looking to expand with a second tourist office in Shanghai in the near future, as we continue to explore the possibility of further openings in Macau and Hong Kong.

“The reason behind this expansion is that we strongly believe that Seychelles is the new destination that will appeal to Chinese tourists. We are of one of the smallest nations on Earth: an archipelago of 115 sparkling islands, largely untouched since the dawn of time, whose beauty is the stuff of legend. Our population is only 87,000 people and our land area only 455 sq km… but the diversity we offer is truly vast.

“Seychelles is between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and consists of 43 towering granite islands, the oldest mid-oceanic granitic islands on the planet, and 72 low-lying reef islands, sand cays, and atolls, which extend like stepping stones towards the coast of neighboring Africa. We are indeed 1,000 miles from anywhere - but we are a million miles in terms of the tranquility, in terms of authenticity, and in terms of diversity of a Seychelles holiday experience.

“We have towering granite mountains, so tall in fact, that their peaks are constantly covered in mist. In these exotic habitats lives an array of equally unique flora and fauna that includes some of the rarest species on the planet. Despite its size, Seychelles boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of these is the amazing Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island – a hidden, ancient forest with towering palms upon which grows the legendary Coco-de-Mer, the world’s heaviest nut, once believed to grow on a mysterious tree beneath the sea. The other is the extraordinary atoll of Aldabra Island, known as the land that time forgot, with its population of 150, 000 giant tortoises.

“Seychelles offers a wide range of authentic experiences that will leave you with the memories of a lifetime: great sailing among the inner islands; diving in places where as many as 800 different species of fish have been spotted on one dive; thrilling big-game fishing for marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna, barracuda, and many other species besides. We also offer great spa and wellness holidays, casinos, and an opportunity to charge your batteries in Seychelles tranquil environment; we have a spectacular 18-hole championship golf course nestled between a lush mountainside and a sapphire ocean, and also fascinating walks and trails upon which to discover Seychelles’ diverse natural world. As many of you will discover, we are perhaps the world’s best known honeymoon venue that was visited recently by Catherine and William, the Duke&Duchess of Cambridge of Great Britain.

“Beyond this, and much more besides, we offer a tranquil yet vibrant culture and an enviable, island-style way of life that is gentle, kind, and welcoming – a unique break from busy schedules and a chance to rediscover yourself in another world.”

The conference was also addressed by representatives from Mason’s Travel and Le Meridien Barbarons Beach Hotel, as well as other Chinese officials who are finalizing every part of that culture festival in the Seychelles. A fashion show with bridal dresses followed, with other performances by Chinese artists and performers.