Madam Fu Ying, China’s ambassador to the UK, in Candie Gardens yesterday with, left to right, Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon, Culture and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara and director of museums Jason Monaghan. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0868646)
Her Excellency Madam Fu Ying was in Guernsey to enhance economic, trade and cultural links.
She was taken to Frossard House by Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon, where she was met by Chief Minister Lyndon Trott.
She was whisked off to Kleinwort Benson, where she met Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer and Guernsey
Finance chief executive Peter Niven.
Her tour took in the Royal Court, the Bailiff’s Chambers, lunch at Le Nautique followed by the Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens.
Museums director Dr Jason Monaghan took Madam Fu to the Victor Hugo statue in the gardens before showing her through the Victorian Gallery.
‘It’s always a delight to show people around,’ he said. ‘I think she was quite taken by some of the Victorian children’s toys.’
Culture and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara joined them.
‘She was lovely,’ he said.
‘She was interested in the granite. When she saw the Victor Hugo statue, she asked what the stone was.
‘And she was quite interested in the fact that we have a Guernsey language.’
Her visit was documented by China Central TV, which has just established a bureau in London.
‘It’s the first time we have been to Jersey and Guernsey,’ said journalist Tang Ye.
‘It’s very important for us to learn about the islands.
‘[Guernsey] is a very beautiful place.
‘It is delicate and I like the scenes here.
‘It’s not a big island, but the people are warm-hearted.’
This was the first visit for Madam Fu to the island.
After the museum, she was taken to the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts and Specsavers.
A visit to the Guernsey Clematis Nursery had to be cancelled.
Last night, a special dinner was hosted in Madam Fu’s honour.
Article posted on 7th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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