Mr Michel was speaking while opening the Seychelles Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 at the weekend.

“I invite you to share the Seychelles ‘exception’; to see how we can bring nature together with development and demonstrate how our people live in harmony with nature,” said President Michel.

The President noted that the Expo theme ‘Better city, better life’ has opened a platform for dialogue on sustainable development and that Seychelles is deeply committed to this concept.

“The Earth is our only home, we must protect it. We believe that we do not own Nature but rather that we belong to Nature, and therefore in order to protect ourselves and future generations we must protect the Nature around us now.”

President Michel also remarked that Seychelles had donated two giant land tortoises to the city of Shanghai and that they had become a major attraction which showed the uniqueness of Seychelles’ natural diversity.

“The land tortoises are an emblem of longevity and giving them to Shanghai is a sign of the longevity of the friendship between Seychelles sand China.”

President Michel said that Seychelles participation in the Shanghai Expo is a source of pride for the people of Seychelles and that it demonstrates the solidarity of Seychelles with China.

“China has always been a great friend of Seychelles and throughout the years Seychelles and China have shared many common goals and ideas. Seychelles’ participation in the Shanghai Expo is a chance for the rejuvenation of our relations and our friendship; to see how we can further enhance our relationship, and I think tourism offers a very unique way of translating this cooperation into people-to-people contact and development.”

The President called for the establishment of air links between Seychelles and China, in order to develop concrete tourism opportunities for the benefit of the two countries.

“Seychelles can become a bridge linking China and Africa, bringing peoples together. We must work towards our common goals which are always underpinned by mutual cooperation and respect.”

The Seychelles pavilion, with the theme "The Seychellois exception”, is located in the centre of the Joint-Africa Pavilion of the World Expo, where an average of 20,000 visitors are expected every day with 60,000 maximum on the weekend. 

The pavilion, which is showcasing the country’s natural beauty, its achievements in environmental protection as well as the dynamism and vibrancy of its people and culture, has a unique design, relying on the IT technologies and creative use of design and imagery, with a future-oriented image of Seychelles.

The Expo park received a total of 250,000 visitors on its first day of opening yesterday.

Commenting on the exhibition’s official opening ceremony on Saturday, President Michel said: 
“It was a spectacular and unforgettable opening ceremony. Shanghai, the Pearl of the Orient, has surpassed all expectations and has indeed become the pride of all the Chinese people. On behalf of the people of Seychelles, I congratulate President Hu Jintao and the people of China for this success.”

President Michel -- who was among 20 heads of state, including Chinese President Hu Jintao, as well as senior Chinese officials and many foreign dignitaries at the opening ceremony -- said that Seychelles has been a strong supporter of Shanghai's candidacy for the exposition and that this is the first time that Seychelles is taking part.

“This international event is a remarkable show of the achievements of the Chinese civilization as well as all human development. All the people from around the world who have come to Shanghai will be able to deepen their mutual understanding and friendship and join hands towards a greener and more sustainable future.”

The Shanghai Expo features some 189 National Pavilion Days and 39 International Organization Days as well as 20,000 cultural performances.  The World expo has become a key point on the international calendar where countries from around the world may showcase their achievements and promote investment and tourism.

President Michel’s attendance at the Shangai Expo 2010 is at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.
During his visit to China, President Michel will also be meeting with President Hu Jintao to further build on the excellent relations between the two countries.  The two leaders are expected to share ideas on subjects of mutual importance including the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean. 
 
This visit follows a previous visit by President Michel to Beijing in 2006, and visits to Seychelles by President Hu Jintao in 2007 and Chairman of the People’s Congress, Wu Bangguo in 2008.

The President is accompanied by the principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Barry Faure; the Ambassador of Seychelles to China, Philippe Le Gall; and the Seychelles Tourism Board’s marketing director Alain St Ange.

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/