Seychelles benefits from its decades-long cooperation with China and takes inspiration from China’s way of balancing tradition and embracing modernity, according to Josy Michaud Payet, mayor of Victoria, the capital city of the island nation.
In an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the recently-concluded 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue in Beijing, Payet said the event had served as a platform for her country to learn from others.
"It is very important because China is bringing all the countries together. Today is a living example. This is a kind of people-to-people exchanges that benefit small countries like us, where I can gain expertise and information from countries more like ourselves, and gain bigger examples from bigger countries," she said.
The mayor said that Seychelles had gained a lot from its half-a-century-long cooperation with China.
"The reason I’m here today is because of the great cooperation we have had with the People's Republic of China for the last 50 years. We signed bilateral agreements with China. We have had tremendous support from the People's Republic of China," she said.
During her stay in Beijing, Josy Michaud Payet paid a visit to the Silk Street, one of the most famous retail destinations in the Chinese capital city, and said she was impressed by the modern re-design of the almost 50-year-old location
"I was amazed how you turned Silk Street, which I understand was a traditional market area, into a most lavish and luxurious shopping center. Because we also have this traditional market area and one of my missions is to try to revitalize it and bring some modernity to it, while keeping to the traditional architecture," said the mayor.
The 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue was held on Tuesday and Wednesday to promote cultural exchange and mutual learning, and honor the friendship between China and African nations.
Seychelles benefits from cooperation with China: mayor of Seychelles capital
