June 30 this year marks the 37th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Seychelles. Prior to this occasion, governments of the two countries reached a mutual visa exemption agreement on May 6, the first of its kind between China and an African country. Under the agreement, citizens of both sides in possession of valid passports can enjoy visa-free travel between the two countries for a period of up to 30 days. In a recent interview with CCTV, James Quincy Liao, first Chinese-Seychellois Chairman of the Seychelles and China Friendship Association, shared his views on the thriving bilateral relations. Excerpts follow:

CCTV: How will the visa exemption policy benefit future exchanges in bilateral investments, trade, business and tourism?

James Quincy Liao:  The agreement means people contacts and exchanges between the two countries will be much easier. It has brought tangible benefits to people from both China and Seychelles as an international model of national equality and the two sides will take this as an opportunity to advance bilateral, friendly and pragmatic cooperation, investment and trade, commerce and tourism.

Looking at the friendship history between the two countries, the very next day after the independence of the Republic of Seychelles, our country established diplomatic relationship with the People's Republic of China. Since then, we have had exchanges of high-level visits, especially our President James Michel who has visited China officially and unofficially more than 10 times.

The Chinese Ambassador in Seychelles Shi Zhongjun has supported a pragmatic cooperation to promote friendly exchanges between the two governments, especially via promotion of economic and trade cooperation. Therefore the agreement on mutual exemption of visa will be favorable and play a big coordinating role between the two countries in the field of international cooperation and international trade and international investment, especially in the Seychelles, which is an Indian Ocean island nation, located within Europe, Asia, Africa and adjacent to the Middle East. With globalization of economies, trade, business and tourism, the agreement can benefit shipping and cargo, networks, efficient service, trade and investment of Chinese enterprises and Chinese tourism to the Seychelles.

Specifically how does this agreement impact on investment, trade, commerce and tourism with China?

As everyone knows, China's economic development is leading the world economy. Seychelles supports this development in the areas of shipping, investment , trade, business, tourism and financial services, and the offshore service aspects of globalization development of enterprises and individuals. Our government has decided to build a national plan to improve the relevant offshore service law and developed a tax and business service regulation, relating to land and marine use.

New regulations were recently launched in April this year on an offshore oil exploration bid, where companies interested in the same block can compete with quotations within 90 days. At the same time the Project of Seychelles Airport expansion, civil water supply, garbage disposal, island development, investment, hotel and shopping mall construction will seek foreign investment, including from China. Seychelles foreign investment trade representatives will cooperate fully with the Seychelles national trade and investment plan, and this year will focus on publishing a handbook of Seychelles investment trade in Chinese, cooperating with the Seychelles Investment Bureau to hold an investment and trade summit in Guangdong and in Beijing. The summit will be hosted by Chinese Investment Entrepreneur and Trade Forum and will organize six delegations of Chinese investors to visit Seychelles.

At the same time, Air Seychelles has opened its Abu Dhabi route to Hong Kong this year, effectively shortening the Hong Kong, Macao air time, and in particular the time to the world manufacturing and trade center of Guangdong Province. This will help business and tourism in Guangdong, and provide the Seychelles with a service platform and central China Africa base for trade and investment in Africa.

What are your views on Seychelles and China achieving 37 years of diplomatic relations?

The Republic of Seychelles and China have reached 37 years of diplomatic relations due to the personal contributions of generations of leaders of the two countries, along with people from all walks of life. Mutual respect and understanding, in political, economic and cultural cooperation has achieved progress and mutual support in international and regional issues. In recent years, especially since the 2006 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit and President Michel's visit to China, rapid development of bilateral relations have been achieved culminating in the ground breaking visa exemption agreement this year. The understanding between the two peoples grow with each passing day. There is reason to believe that the relationship between the two countries will strengthen in the future. I look forward to increased investment, trade and tourism and international cooperation between the two countries.