(Seychelles News Agency) - An area dedicated to the Chinese city of Guangzhou is the latest attraction which visitors to the Seychelles Botanical Garden will be able to discover.

The chief executive officer of the National Botanical Gardens Foundation Raymond Brioche on Wednesday told SNA that the Guangzhou Garden, which opened earlier this week, celebrates the Chinese heritage and symbolizes the cultural connection between Seychelles and China.

“The garden marks the link between Seychelles and China, which according to our archives started over 150 years ago when the first residents from Guangzhou arrived in Seychelles, and also 40 years of diplomatic ties between Seychelles and China,” Brioche told SNA. 

The garden spread over one acre of land, also showcases vegetation from Guangzhou planted alongside Seychelles’ plants. They include bamboo, orchid and the kapok tree also known as Red Kapok or Hero tree. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

One of the oldest national monuments in the country, the Seychelles National Botanical Garden is over a century old and is located not far from the centre of the capital, Victoria.

The more than 10 hectares of land are home to a collection of plants including palms, flowers, spices and fruit trees, from countries in the Indian Ocean – from South East Asia to Eastern Africa.

It is also home to colonies of bats and a group of giant tortoises.

Located on a hill in the western corner of the Seychelles Botanical Garden, the Guangzhou Garden showcases key structures of the Chinese city. This includes a sculpture of the Five Rams, which according to Chinese belief conveys good wishes for the prosperity of the country and the harmonious life of the people. Another key structure is the ‘Pot-handle Wall’ -- a traditional Cantonese wall architecture that is curved on top and looks like a cooking pot handle.

Brioche said the garden, which is spread over one acre of land, also showcases vegetation from Guangzhou planted alongside Seychelles’ plants. They include bamboo, orchid and the kapok tree also known as Red Kapok or Hero tree.

The Guangzhou Garden, located on a hill in the western corner of the Seychelles Botanical Gardens was opened on Monday. A sculpture of the Five Rams, which according to Chinese belief conveys good wishes for the prosperity of the country and the harmonious life of the people is one of the key structures of the Chinese city being showcased. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

The Guangzhou Garden was officially handed over to the National Botanical Gardens Foundation in a ceremony on Monday. The project has received financial support from the Mayor of Guangzhou, Chen Jianhua, the China Shengyang Cooperation (Seychelles Litd) and the Guangzhou Landscape Agriculture Company, under the guidance of the National Botanical Gardens Foundation.

It is not the first time a corner of the Seychelles Botanical Garden has been dedicated to showcase plants and other aspects of a foreign country. A Thai Garden was opened in May 2014.

Brioche said: “The Botanical Gardens is a living heritage and it is slowly growing, and now with the addition of Guangzhou it is a plus for us as it showcases a part of our culture originating from China.”  

A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Guangzhou municipality and Seychelles, which Brioche said will further support cooperation such as research and capacity-building training including in the field of horticulture. 

The signing of the memorandum of understanding between Seychelles and Guangzhou will further support cooperation such as research and capacity-building training including in the field of horticulture. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

Guangzhou is the capital and largest port city of the Guangdong Province in southeastern China, traditionally known as ‘Canton’ to the Chinese people.

The relationship between Guangzhou and Seychelles started in October 2014, when the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam and his delegation visited the Chinese city. During the visit, at the invitation of mayor Chen Jianhua, Minister Adam handed over a pair of giant tortoises to Guangzhou zoo, on a lease of thirty years.