Food Packs for 790 Vulnerable Families were donated, yesterday, by the Government of the People’s Republic China, during a ceremony held at the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF), Garden Tower, in Port-Louis. Nine Food Packs were thus symbolically presented to Non-Governmental Organisations on that occasion. The initiative lies in the context of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Mauritius which will be observed in April 2022.
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, and the Chinese Ambassador to Mauritius, Mr Liying Zhu, were present.
In his address, Minister Ganoo underscored that the present event is an opportunity to put at the forefront the privileged and close ties that exist between Mauritius and China and which is being translated, today, by bringing assistance to the most vulnerable of the society.
He indicated that the donation ceremony is the first of a series of activities being organised to mark the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Mauritius and China which were established on 15 April 1972. The celebrations will be held over a 14-month period and will end in December 2022, he stated. The contribution of China in the development of Mauritius is undeniable and we are delighted that the vibrant partnership between both parties is being reinforced, he added. He likewise highlighted that the profound respect of Mauritius for the One-China policy has always remained constant.
As for Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo, she expressed gratitude to China for its generosity as this initiative will bring about relief and assistance to various needy families across Mauritius. She highlighted that the Chinese Embassy in Mauritius has financed the purchase of foodstuffs to the tune of Rs 650,000. The funding, she recalled, has enabled to acquire 790 food packs that will be distributed to needy families through 16 NGOs that are registered with the National Social Inclusion Foundation.
The Minister further evoked that her Ministry has concluded two agreements in 2009 and 2015 with China to promote knowledge sharing and which cover the following sectors: the welfare of the elderly and, the fight against poverty.
Speaking about poverty, she emphasised that the fight against poverty is a priority for Government, even more so during this pandemic. She further recalled that her Ministry is working on the implementation of the National Database for Vulnerable Groups – a measure announced in the 2020/21 budget.
In his speech, the Chinese Ambassador spoke of the determination of the Chinese Embassy to join efforts with the Mauritian authorities to fight poverty and to ensure that the friendly and cooperation ties between the two countries directly benefit Mauritians.
He expressed appreciation that the Mauritian Government is taking all measures to enhance the daily lives of citizens. For him, the high vaccination rates against the COVID-19 in Mauritius and China are fine examples of the philosophy of the two Governments in improving the lives of their peoples.
This year, he moreover observed, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the country has achieved the objective of completely eradicating absolute poverty among its population estimated to 1,4 billion.
As regards the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Mauritius and China, Ambassador Zhu stated that several events will be organised to further bring closer the peoples of both countries and numerous new economic and cooperation projects will be implemented that will be mutually beneficial. Job creation, training of young people, the welfare of the elderly and the fight against poverty remain important in all our efforts, he reassured.
