Ambassador Sun Gongyi : “The Sino-Mauritian relations will enter a new era”

The President Xi Jinping is travelling to our island for a friendly visit, highlights the Sun Gonyi Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Mauritius.

In the interview that follows, the Ambassador elaborates on the main objectives of the Presidential visit. He also underlines the strategies on strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

This visit will fortify mutual political trust between China and Mauritius, deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two countries and open up new prospects for Sino-Mauritian cultural exchanges.

What is the main purpose of President Xi Jinping’s visit?
President Xi Jinping will travel to Mauritius for a friendly visit. The main purpose is to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and its peoples. During his visit, President Xi Jinping will meet Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth to discuss how to reinforce our bilateral relations as well talk on international and regional issues. This visit will fortify mutual political trust between China and Mauritius, deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two countries and open up new prospects for Sino-Mauritian cultural exchanges. This will certainly be an important milestone in the history of relations between China and Mauritius. The Sino-Mauritian relationship will enter a new era. Moreover, the population of China amounting to 1.4 billion will pay a particular attention to President Xi Jinping’s visit to Mauritius; hence the popularity of Mauritius in China will only grow.

Is this visit based on a geo-political strategy given the strong presence of China in Africa?
China and Africa have always shared similar trajectories. Our histories, the struggles of Chinese and African people along the same lines, have contributed to create and build a deep-rooted friendship. Both participating nations adhere to identical principles of equality, sincerity, cooperation, mutual benefits and the same types of development, which is the rationale behind the solid Chinese–African partnership. Africa and China will always be good friends and brothers as well as sincere partners.   

For its collaboration with Africa, China always respects the principles pertaining to “sincerity, pragmatism, fraternity and honesty” and promotes a realistic concept of justice and its values.  However, this cooperation neither targets nor excludes a third participating nation.

In September 2018, the China-Africa Forum will launch its Summit on the China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, where the Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth will be present. President Xi Jinping will discuss with more than 50 Heads of State and African Governments, including Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, for an exchange of ideas related to the Chinese-African cooperation. This will be celebrated as an event on a major scale concerning the Chinese and African ties. This Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation acts as a platform for the South-South solidarity, the most extensive and most profitable in the world. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth will meet again at Beijing and the fact that these two Heads of State will be in the same arena provides ample proof of the willingness of both nations to delve deeper into the Chinese-Mauritian bonds.  

As the Chinese Ambassador to Mauritius, I hope that Mauritius will be able to put one foot in the “train à grande vitesse” (super rapid train) of the Chinese economic development in the context of the scheme “One Belt One Road” and that of the “Forum on the China-Africa,” such that the country may be able to follow the “Transformative Journey” and to earn as soon as possible the status of a high-income country.

Mauritius aims of becoming a gateway between Africa and Asia. How you think China can help us in this endeavour?
Mauritius is a very open country and one of the most developed countries in Africa, with a high level of connectivity and unique benefits in many areas. I think Mauritius should play this card fully. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the “One Belt One Road” initiative, which is based on the principle of mutual consultation, mutual commitment and sharing of fruits and is a counterpart to overall economic and social development.

It is a win-win initiative. This initiative has already received the support and participation of more than 100 countries and international organizations. The objective of this initiative is to develop a strategy for a transition of Mauritius to a high-income country. China and Mauritius can cooperate in this framework, through the synergy of development strategies of the two countries and to explore specific cooperation projects of common interest. It is also to complement each other and contribute to achieving the economic development of Mauritius.

Investment perspective

There is no doubt that Mauritius benefits from a stable political environment, a strong legal system, a diverse social culture and an enabling environment for economic and trade cooperation with Africa, and practical air connections with Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, underscores the Chinese Ambassador. “Mauritius also has unique advantages in the areas of tourism, finance, investment, training and medical care, among others. Mauritius enjoys a good reputation in the world, for example, the Index of Economic Freedom ranks our country first in sub-Saharan Africa and the Global Index of Innovation ranks it second in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Mauritian government has taken many steps to attract foreign investment and create a good investment environment for them,” claims the Ambassador. He also believes that the growing and constant development of the Chinese economy encourages Chinese investment needs abroad. “The unique benefits that Mauritius offers are very attractive to them. If Mauritius can provide more personalized services to Chinese investors, for example with experts who master the Chinese language, who are familiar with local laws and regulations and can advise Chinese on their investments in Mauritius, this will attract even more investors,” he advises.

Cultural and educational exchanges

The educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries are multiple and narrow. The first Chinese Cultural Center abroad was Mauritius, created in 1988 to offer courses in mandarin, tai chi, dance, theater and so on to Mauritians who love the Chinese culture. The Happy Chinese New Year, the Chinese Food Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the China Film Week have become cultural events well appreciated by Mauritians. Many troupes of high-level Chinese artists have come to Mauritius to give exceptional demonstrations.

 In August, the Chinese Cultural Center will hold a series of celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of its creation, and many cultural events will take place for Mauritians. In addition, the Confucius Institute has played an important role in teaching and promoting Chinese language.

The Chinese government regularly sends teachers and volunteers to Mauritius to teach the Chinese language in a number of public primary schools, underlines Ambassador Sun Gongyi. Each year, some thirty young Mauritians go to China thanks to scholarships offered by the Chinese government and many others also leave independently, using their own funds. While acquiring professional knowledge, these students immerse themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture and learn to master the Chinese language, which constitute undeniable advantages for their life-careers.

“I am delighted to see that many Mauritian students, who have studied medicine in China, have become leaders in relevant fields. In addition, I encourage Mauritian students who go to China to be more open, more daring when they choose their specialization and try out advanced fields in China, such as engineering, information and technology. Thus, back in Mauritius, they will contribute positively to the economic and social development of Mauritius,” adds the Ambassador.