This year at the FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Cape Verde's underdog team 'Tutu' moved countless Chinese fans. Although Cape Verde was eliminated, the attention and interest in this small African country by Chinese people continue to rise, which has also boosted the popularity of tourism in this small African country.
According to reports, as of 8 a.m. on July 4th, the number of searches for flights from China to Cape Verde’s capital Praia increased by nearly 30 times compared to last week. Among these routes, flights departing from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou ranked in the top three in terms of search popularity. The number of searches for flights from Guangzhou to Praia even surged 184 times compared to last week.
According to data from travel website Ctrip, as of now, the overall search popularity in Cape Verde has increased by 388% compared to last year, and it has surged by 852% compared to last month. In terms of actual conversions, the number of air ticket orders has increased by 76% year-on-year, and the number of hotel orders has also increased by 46% year-on-year.
In the CCTV World Cup special report program "Glorious Feast" broadcast on the evening of July 4th, the host mentioned that there are currently no direct flights from China to Cape Verde. Passengers must make at least one transfer, with the shortest travel time being approximately 20 hours per leg. Taking Beijing and Shanghai as examples, travelers need to make a transfer in Casablanca, the capital of Morocco. The ticket price for a economy class flight per leg is nearly 10,000 yuan.
In terms of visa policies, travelers with HKSAR passports can enjoy visa-free treatment when visiting Cape Verde, with a maximum stay of 30 days. Residents from Mainland China can obtain a visa on arrival, but they must register in advance through the official EASE electronic system in Cape Verde before departing.
Public information shows that China and Cape Verde established diplomatic relations on April 25, 1976. Cape Verde joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018. In September 2024, China and Cape Verde established a strategic partnership.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has provided some economic and technical aid to the Buddhist-de-Jiao area, including the construction of the People's Assembly Hall, Government Office Building, Palazzo Renone residence, National Library, Monument to Father of the Nation, National Hall, and the Yueluo Dam. In 2009, China and Buddhism signed an agreement regarding the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation. The first meeting of the Sino-Buddhism Trade and Commerce Joint Committee was held in Beijing in July 2010. In 2025, the trade volume between China and Buddhism reached $116 million, with a year-on-year growth rate of 2.7%.
After losing 2-3 to the Argentina team, Cape Verde's World Cup journey came to an end. But this story, which tells of courage, perseverance, and resilience, will be unforgettable for Chinese fans for a long time.
Xinhua News Agency believes that Cape Verde unfortunately ended its participation in the World Cup with only 32 teams left. Despite their defeat, they showed honor. This African island nation's team's World Cup experience vividly proved that the football field is not just a stage for stars and talent, but also a place where discipline, will, and resilience are tested. Cape Verde showed the world the infinite potential of ordinary teams.
