On September 21st, 2018, the Inter-Continental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort was decorated with lanterns and festoons. Lively atmosphere of rejoicing permeated the air. Guests of various circles happily gathered here, witnessing the development of China and renewing friendship between China and Mauritius. Ambassador Sun Gongyi and his wife counselor Wang Ju held the National Day reception there, celebrating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. There were about 600 people attending the reception, including more than 10 cabinet ministers who were the Acting President of the Republic of Mauritius H.E. Mr. Paramasivun Pillay Vyapoory and his wife, Acting Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Colendavelloo, Minister Mentor Sir Anerood Jugnauth and his wife, Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs. Hanoomanjee, Minister of Foreign Affairs, regional Integration and International Trade Mr. Lutchmeenaraidoo, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport Mr. Bodha, Minister of Arts and Culture Mr. Roopun, Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security Mr. Seeruttun, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms Mr. Gobin, Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment Mr. Wong Yen Cheong, Minister of Labor, Industrial Relations and Employment Callichurn and Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms Mr. Boissezon, foreign envoys, business elites, press officers, overseas Chinese, Chinese enterprises and representatives of overseas students. The mainstream media in Mautitius such as the Mauritian National Television and newspapers of "Le Defi"and "L'express" gave a whole-process coverage of the reception.
With the toasts proposed by Ambassador Sun Gongyi and Acting President Vyapoory, the national anthems of China and Mauritius were played. Guests raised their glasses to wish the People's Republic of China prosperous and thriving. On behalf of the Mauritian government and people, the Acting President Vyapoory expressed warm congratulations to the Chinese government and people, wishing friendship between Mauritius and China everlasting and bilateral cooperation fruitful.
A video clip named "China 2018" was played at the reception, showcasing the racing high-speed railway, advanced agricultural technology, numerous skyscrapers, spectacular event of FOCAC Beijing Summit, unforgettable scenes of President Xi Jinping's friendly visit to Mauritius and so on. Guests spoke highly of the miraculous speed of China's development and Sino-African and Sino-Mauritian cooperation.
Accompanied by Ambassador Sun Gongyi, guests viewed a photo exhibition featuring the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up and expressed congratulations on China's amazing achievements since the reform and opening up.
Acting President Vyapoory told Ambassador Sun Gongyi that President Xi's friendly visit to Mauritius at the end of July and President Jugnauth's attendance to FOCAC Beijing Summit are both testimonies of the excellent relations between the two countries. The Sino-Mauritian cooperation in the fields of politics, economics and humanities has yielded fruits. He expected that more Chinese projects would be carried out in Mauritius and more Chinese tourists would visit this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean.
Guests said that the year 2018 witnessed the soaring development of China-Mauritius relations. The mutual visits between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Jugnauth in the same year has laid solid foundation for the friendship between the two countries and outlined the grand blueprint for long-term bilateral relations. As China's reform and opening up has made great achievements, Mauritius wishes to use China's experiences in governing a state and promoting economic growth for reference, participate actively in "one belt one road", strengthen cooperation in the framework of FOCAC, build a closer Sino-Mauritian and Sino-African community for a common future, and help itself realize economic transformation.
Overseas Chinese in various circles were particularly proud of their home country, saying that they will support the development of their home country and contribute to the friendship between China and Mauritius.
Chatting in high spirit, guests spent a happy and unforgettable night in a rejoicing atmosphere.