The19 newly weds from China, who are now enjoying their honeymoon in Seychelles, gathered at the coastline of the Anse Royale beach park on Sunday, June 17, two days after tying the knot in a mass wedding ceremony at Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel, to contribute towards the national tree-planting campaign for a greener Seychelles.

Together, the 19 couples, along with the help of some 30 school children, planted a number of trees of various species that grows well alongside coastline areas of Seychelles.

The tree-planting event was organized as one of the social activities for the Chinese couples to undertake as newlyweds while in Seychelles.

The couples’ mass wedding ceremony in paradise, along with the activities planned for them, is an initiative of the Seychelles Tourism Board and the Sino-Seychelles Friendship Association.

The planting of trees by the couples took place in the presence of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Professor Rolph Payet; the Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange; the Principal Secretary for Environment Wills Agricole; the Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles Shi Zhongjun; Seychelles’ Ambassador to China Philippe Le Gall; the Chairman of the Sino-Seychelles Cultural organisation Cui Yongan; General Manager of Beijing Qiangsheng Investment Ltd. Company Yui Zong Chang; members of the National Assembly; and other government officials.

Speaking at the event, Professor Payet said that the newly-planted trees signify the couples’ love and commitment to each other and will grow as a symbol of their “promises to each other.” Professor Payet added that the trees planted by the couples are contributing towards the national tree-planting campaign, the Green Wave project, which aims of having 20,000 trees planted in Seychelles by the end of this year.

On his part, the Chairman of the Sino-Seychelles cultural organization, Mr. Cui Yongan, said that tree-planting represents the Chinese delegation’s keenness to cooperate with Seychelles for a greener collaboration between the two countries.

Mr. Cui Yongan said that the tree-planting initiative will grow into “a lovely forest in the spirit of peace, friendship, and universal love, which will always symbolize the longevity and continuity of the strong ties between China and Seychelles.”

Adding to Mr. Cui Yongan’s speech, Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. St.Ange, said that the Sino-Seychelles partnership is today bearing fruits and will continue do so as the existing tie between Seychelles and China grows stronger.

Mr. St.Ange also invited the couples to revisit the islands saying, “The trees you have planted will grow and will remain for many years as a symbol of your union here in the wonderful islands of Seychelles, and to celebrate your first wedding anniversary, I invite you to return to Seychelles and revisit your trees.”

To officially commemorate the event, a plaque was unveiled after the 19 couples had planted their trees.