Samoan PM lauds diplomatic ties with China

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Samoa, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi lauded the ties on Friday, saying that his country values the strategic partnership based on mutual respect and common development.

Wang Xuefeng, Chinese ambassador to Samoa co-hosted a reception at the Chinese embassy, where Samoa's Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Chief Justice Faletatu Sapolu, Speaker of Parliament Laauli Leuatea Polataivao, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, leader of the opposition, as well as members of the diplomatic corps gathered to mark the anniversary.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the warm friendship and close relations that Samoa and China have nurtured and enjoyed over the years continue to flourish, Tuilaepa said while delivering his speech.

Calling the establishment of the diplomatic ties a "milestone," Tuilaepa said the first contact between Samoa and China dates back many more years to the early Chinese who came and made Samoa their home.

"The early Chinese settlers, their descendants and the important contribution they made not just to the economic but every facet of life in our country is an indelible part of our history and forms an enduring and endearing dimension in Samoa's relations with China," said the Samoan prime minister.

Last year, Samoa hosted the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where a document known as the "Samoa Pathway" was adopted.

"The generous assistance provided by China contributed a very large part to the success of the conference. Besides the specific support for the SIDS conference, China has continued to assist Samoa's development across many key sectors of our economy," Tuilaepa said, expressing gratitude on behalf of the Samoan government and people.

On the international stage, he said, Samoa and China continue to work closely to support world peace, the pursuit of equitable development and to address the risks and impacts of climate change.

Calling the development of people-to-people connections "a very important part of our bilateral relations," Tuilaepa said besides creating greater understanding and tolerance, there are also mutual economic benefits that accrue from these connections in areas such as agriculture, education, health, trade, investment, tourism and so on.

China established diplomatic relations with Samoa on Nov. 6, 1975. Endit