President of the Republic of Seychelles Patrick Herminie has hailed Chinese cuisine as the "best in the world", highlighting his admiration for China's culture and the growing friendship between the two countries.
In an interview with China Media Group aired Friday, Herminie described himself as "a big fan of Chinese cuisine". His fondness for Chinese flavors is well known in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, where he often frequents a Chinese restaurant managed by a chef who studied and worked in China years ago.
The restaurant's fusion of Chinese cooking techniques with local seafood has created a distinctive island flavor that resonates with him and many diners.
Herminie said he likes almost all Chinese dishes as their tastes are really wonderful.
"I think you have the best cuisine in the world," Herminie told the reporter. To sustain authentic flavors beyond the restaurant table, a farm has been built in Seychelles to supply fresh vegetables for Chinese cooking, from Shanghai greens to long beans and chives, recreating the flavors and feel of Chinese gardens in the island nation.
Herminie's passion for Chinese cuisine extends into diplomacy. On Jan 29, he attended a Spring Festival reception at the Chinese embassy in Victoria. There, he sipped tea, learned about Chinese New Year traditions, and wrote the Chinese character "Fu," symbolizing good fortune, along with blessings for the Year of the Horse.
President of Seychelles hails Chinese cuisine, strengthening cultural ties
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command and China Coast Guard said in two separate statements that their forces conducted patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Saturday.
The PLA Southern Theater Command said in an online statement that its naval and air units on Saturday conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas.
It said that since February, its naval and air units have strengthened maritime and air patrols in the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao. The moves are an effective countermeasure to cope with all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts and respond to the so-called joint patrols by relevant countries, according to the statement.
They are meant to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty and security and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, said the statement.
The China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday conducted law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters off China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas in the South China Sea.
The CCG said in a statement that since February, it has stepped up law enforcement patrols in this area, handling illegal and infringing vessels in accordance with the law and regulations, while intensifying control over relevant maritime areas, thus maintaining China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.
China PLA, Coast Guard patrol around Huangyan Dao
China PLA, Coast Guard patrol around Huangyan Dao
