(Seychelles News Agency) - The outgoing Chinese ambassador to Seychelles Yin Lixian on Tuesday highlighted tourism as one of the areas of cooperation where she witnessed good progress during her two-year tenure.

Yin noted the opening up of air access between the two countries with the start of direct flights by the national airline, Air Seychelles, linking Beijing and the Seychelles’ main island, Mahe, in February this year.

“These direct flights have facilitated personal and tourism exchanges between the two countries and has made both more accessible for further cooperation,” Yin told journalists.

Around 11,000 Chinese visitors have come to Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, since the beginning of 2016 -- a three percent increase compared to last year. 

Yin, who bid farewell to President James Michel at State House, said tourism along with education, the economy and social sectors are areas where bilateral cooperation has been strengthened between Seychelles and China over the past 40 years.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1976.

Ambassador Yin was accredited to Seychelles in November 2014. (Joena Bonnelame, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

“I am very proud to have assisted two historical events while I was here -- the 40th anniversary of the Seychelles Independence Day and 40 years of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and China,” said Yin.

“As you know we have implemented a lot of projects over the 40 years – recent ones include a new housing project at Corgate Estate which will start soon, and we have also signed a contract to build a new SBC House [new building for the national radio and television station],” she added.

Health is another sector where cooperation continues to exist, and the outgoing ambassador confirmed the imminent arrival of a new medical team from China to replace a group of doctors who have been working in the island nation.

In a statement, State House said President Michel has thanked ambassador Yin for her contribution in helping to further develop ties between their two countries.

“As a true friend, China has never ceased to help our country, and to build a development model that places man at the centre of all economic and social activities,” said Michel.

Ambassador Yin who was based in Seychelles was accredited in November 2014.