The monsoon of the Indian Ocean blows over Victoria Harbour, brushing past the newly renovated broadcasting center building - still commonly referred to as the Chinese Tower by locals. In the evening, the rooftop antenna rotates, and Seychelles' fishing news, islanders' stories, and Creole songs spread along the radio waves to 115 granite islands. Fifty years ago, on the second day after this archipelago declared independence, Beijing and Victoria exchanged diplomatic letters, and Seychelles became one of the earliest African countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China.

Fifty Years of Strategic Friendly Relations

Seychelles is the closest African country to China. On June 30, 2026, it will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles. Ambassador to Seychelles, Lin Nan, was interviewed to review bilateral exchanges. On the day after Seychelles' independence in 1976, it established diplomatic relations with China. For half a century, the two countries have stood together through thick and thin, with equal mutual assistance, mutual trust, and upgrading to strategic partners. High level interactions have been frequent, making it a benchmark for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes for both large and small countries. The ambassador has held multiple consultations with local legislators on deepening bilateral cooperation.

China adheres to the concept of friendship with Africa and provides assistance to Seychelles' development in various fields. The landmark project of the Radio and Television Center has become a city landmark, improving local media software and hardware and cultivating technical talents; Regularly dispatching medical teams to provide free medical consultations in rural areas, comprehensively improving the local medical level, and effectively improving people's livelihoods through various projects. The ambassador attended multiple aid related activities such as the handover of broadcasting and television, and the launch of free clinics.

China Serbia cooperation has shifted from single aid to diversified mutual benefit, with fruitful achievements in three emerging areas: the landing of low-carbon demonstration zones in the green sector, and the hot sales of domestically produced new energy vehicles in the local area; The blue economy revolves around deep cooperation in the development of marine resources and ecological protection; Chinese enterprises in the digital field assist in upgrading local information infrastructure. The cultural, educational, and medical cooperation between the two sides is steadily advancing.

Two way win-win situation for seafood exports

China has implemented a zero tariff policy towards multiple African countries, and Seychelles has successfully exported tuna and sea cucumber to China. The huge domestic market drives the local industrial chain to increase income, and domestic consumers also obtain high-quality seafood; The Chinese side continues to invite local enterprises to participate in various economic and trade exhibitions, expanding cooperation channels. The ambassador wrote an article interpreting the benefits of tariffs and conducted on-site research on seafood companies.

The heat of cultural exchange is on the rise

The local Chinese learning atmosphere is strong, with over 200 students studying in China and more than 2000 learning Chinese. The level of the 2026 Chinese Bridge competition participants has reached a new high. Seven local universities have paired up with Sichuan universities, and the Confucius Institute and Smart Classroom projects have been implemented in an orderly manner. Cultural, tourism, and economic exchanges continue to generate demand for Chinese language learning, and the ambassador attended the finals of the Chinese Bridge competition area. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, Seychelles, aid projects

Seychelles Little Ben Clock Lights Up Chinese Red for the First Time

The President of Seychelles stated that the relationship between the two countries has reached a historical peak. Both sides take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, expand maritime, green, digital, and island economic cooperation, and strengthen cultural exchanges. In 2026, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, China Serbia exchanges will contribute to the construction of an all-weather community with a shared future between China and Africa, and the ambassador will participate in the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements. Seychelles is known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, with its unique coastline and rare flora and fauna attracting a large number of Chinese tourists. The local culture is inclusive and the people are friendly towards China, making the tourism industry an important bridge to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.Editor/Gong Ziwei