Recently, H.E. Ambassador Arlindo do Rosário of Cabo Verde and his wife, Mrs. Carla do Rosário, visited Sanya for a series of exchange activities, including participation in the filming of the program “Ambassador's Dinner Party,” experiencing traditional Chinese medicine culture, and engaging in football exchanges with local youth.

When football bridges two islands

Cape Verdean Ambassador Arlindo do Rosário and his wife, Mrs. Carla do Rosário, visited Sanya Sports Center on Aug 9, playing a friendly kickabout with local youth players. They traded stories about their idols, shared their love for the game, and enjoyed a light-hearted match – but the real score was friendship.

Behind the fun: Sanya and Sal in Cabo Verde have been sister cities since 2009. In 2012, Sanya funded a red rubber track at Sal’s sports complex – a track that has since hosted 23 national athletics championships (Sal won 19) and now serves as a daily training ground for U9–U19 football teams.

This year marks 50 years of China–Cape Verde diplomatic ties. As the Ambassador put it: “1% chance, 99% effort.” From that track in Sal to this pitch in Sanya – football crosses oceans, and so does friendship.

Cabo Verdean Ambassador Visits Sanya TCM Hospital, Engages with International Trainees

H.E. Ambassador Arlindo do Rosário of Cabo Verde and his wife, Mrs. Carla do Rosário, visited Sanya Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital on Aug 10. They toured the TCM Cultural Exhibition Hall and the Li Medicine Exchange Center, experiencing acupuncture, TCM wellness exercises, and AI physiotherapy devices, among other therapies.

During the visit, they met with 42 trainees from 13 countries—including the US, UK, and Germany—who are enrolled in a two-week TCM training program (the 7th cohort), many of whom are recent high school graduates traveling to Sanya specifically for this course. The Ambassador and his wife chatted with the trainees, who shared their enthusiasm for learning TCM.

Sanya TCM Hospital has forged strong ties with Cabo Verde. In September 2025, the "Saren National Famous TCM (Cabo Verde) Studio" was inaugurated at Sal Regional Hospital—China's first national-level TCM studio in the country. An AI-powered telemedicine platform also went live, enabling real-time remote consultations between Sanya and Sal, alongside a formal cooperation agreement.

The visit reaffirmed the growing bond between Sanya and Sal, Cabo Verde, and boosted the international reach of TCM, especially in Portuguese-speaking nations.