Beijing Review: How do you evaluate the development of China-Seychelles ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976?

Philippe Le Gall: I would say these relations are healthy, fortunate and very promising. They are healthy because they have developed for more than 30 years based on understanding, respect, mutual consideration and acceptance of the differences on the two sides. They are fortunate because they got new momentum when President Hu Jintao and President James Michel met once during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in November last year and then in February when President Hu visited Seychelles as part of his African tour. Finally, they are very encouraging and promising due to the new momentum and the healthy nature. We are sure that many avenues of cooperation have been explored and that we will make significant progress in the future in increasing the volume of our exchanges.

Why is Seychelles setting up an embassy in Beijing 31 years after establishing diplomatic relations with China?

China was among the first nations to recognize Seychelles after it gained independence in 1976. We have had 31 years of diplomatic relations. In the past, we also had some ambassadors accredited in Beijing, although they were not resident ambassadors here. The Chinese Embassy has been in Seychelles for decades. So there are existing channels of cooperation between the two countries. But when the two presidents met, they considered it time to upgrade this relationship. The opening of the Seychellois Embassy in Beijing is the translation into concrete action of this political will.

The appointment of a resident ambassador first of all means that the represented country is more visible. There is a considerable gain in visibility. It also means that the country is in a position to promote its interest in Beijing. It is also a way for Seychelles to participate in the diplomatic initiatives that are taken here in Beijing as a follow-up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Seychelles can join several groups, such as the African diplomats and ambassadors, members of the Commonwealth, members of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the French-speaking countries’ organization. So we can contribute to diplomatic life here in Beijing.

As Seychelles’ first resident ambassador to China, what are your major tasks?

Without warm political friendship, there is no cooperation in any field. Presently, there is a warm political understanding between the two countries. I must make sure that this high-level political friendship continues to develop. This is my first priority. My second priority is to make sure that Seychelles is better known in China and to promote Seychelles’ interest in this part of the world. The third point is to be an active player in the initiatives taken here in Beijing in the field of diplomacy, in the field of cooperation between China and Africa and in all the fields that are relevant and of priority to our countries.

President Hu visited Seychelles in February this year-the first by a Chinese president since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Some analysts said the visit exemplified China’s commitment to develop good relations with small countries in Africa. How would you define the significance of this visit?

China has a long history of cooperation with small African countries. So this comment is true. We may as well say it was a way for China to demonstrate its interest in small, developing island states, like Seychelles. We could also say it was a way to demonstrate China’s support for middle-income countries, like Seychelles. We could also say it was a way for China to demonstrate its support for regional organizations, as Seychelles is now chairing the Indian Ocean Commission. The Indian Ocean Commission is comprised of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and the French island of Reunion. So when President Hu paid a visit to Seychelles, he was also paying a visit to a small, developing island state, a middle-income country and a country chairing an organization of regional cooperation. And all these different categories are taken into account in the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. By visiting Seychelles, President Hu Jintao was addressing a much larger audience in a way.

What is the general perception of China in Seychelles?

To make it short, I would say that the Seychellois like China. There is a high interest in China for several reasons. The first one is that Seychelles is a multicultural and multiracial society and there is a Chinese community. The first Chinese traders who settled in Seychelles came in 1863. China is nothing new on the agenda of Seychelles. We always say Seychelles is an outpost of Africa looking to the east. We have always relied on China for the provision of some goods. The Seychellois people have followed with great interest the development of China in the last decades. Everybody in Seychelles is aware of the contribution of China to Seychelles’ development.