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Samoa - China Relations

The Government of Samoa has a strong relationship with the Government of the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.). The P.R.C. has provided substantial assistance to Samoa. Assistance from the P.R.C. has been especially focused on construction projects, including the main government building as well as performance venues for the South Pacific Games, which Samoa hosted in August-September 2007. The P.R.C.-funded parliamentary offices opened in August 2008, and the Justice building opened in January 2010. The two countries also signed concessionary loans of $64 million in 2008 and $30.5 million in January 2010 for the construction of a multi-storey office and conference center and a national hospital, respectively.

Several Pacific nations - including Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu - are believed to be some of the most heavily indebted countries in the world to China. Both Canberra and Washington have voiced concerns about the level of Chinese loans in the region, fearing it would allow Beijing greater control over the Pacific's assets.

Samoa was one of the first Pacific island countries that established diplomatic relations with China. Samoa values the ties with China and is willing to boost people-to-people exchanges as well as trade, investment and tourism cooperation with the Chinese side within the Belt and Road framework. Samoa and China established diplomatic relations on 6 November 1975 and have since developed a very close friendship. The Chinese Embassy in Samoa was established in 1978 while the Samoa embassy in Beijing was established in 2009.

The Samoan Government engages with China on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Some of these issues include security, bilateral cooperation and development assistance, tourism, educational and cultural exchanges, trade and investment. The Embassy of Samoa in Beijing works to promote Samoan made products in China, reduce barriers and restrictions to trade and promote Samoa’s business interests in China. Similarly, the Embassy also encourages and facilitates Chinese investment in Samoa.

The Government of China offers 20+ new scholarships to Samoan students to study at tertiary institutions in China every year. Samoa currently has 94 students studying in China (2017). The Government of China also offers a variety of short-term trainings and seminars for Samoan officials from both private and the public sectors. These trainings are mainly for capacity building in areas such as Human Resource Development, Hospitality, Environment, Agriculture, Innovation and IT, Finance etc.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in Beijing 18 September 2018, pledging further support for the Pacific island country's push for economic development. During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi voiced his appreciation for Tuilaepa's contribution to the development of China-Samoa ties. Xi said, that the Chinese side cherishes the traditional friendship with Samoa and appreciates the country's firm and long-lasting adherence to the one-China principle. "China will continue supporting Samoa's efforts to develop the economy and improve people's livelihoods, as well as those to safeguard the legitimate interests of Samoa and other South Pacific island countries in international and regional affairs," said the Chinese president.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held talks in Beijing 19 September 2018 with Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is here to attend the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2018, also known as Summer Davos. Noting that Samoa was one of the first Pacific island countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, Li hailed the development of bilateral ties and said China attaches great importance to developing relations with Samoa. China appreciates Samoa's long-term and firm adherence to the one-China policy, said Li, adding that China supports Samoa's efforts to follow a development path in line with its national conditions and will strengthen cooperation with Samoa.

China will seek synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative with Samoa's development strategy and create more opportunities for cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, investment and infrastructure construction, said Li. The Chinese premier called on the two countries to give full play to their respective advantages, strengthen cooperation in ports and tourism, and take more practical measures to promote people-to-people exchanges to deepen the bilateral friendship.

Tuilaepa said the Belt and Road Initiative has a positive effect on promoting trade, tourism and culture, expecting to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with China and build a closer partnership between the two countries.

In 2013, relations between the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Samoa maintained a sound momentum.

The two sides had frequent exchanges at all levels. In March, Vice Minister of the CPC International Department Liu Jieyi visited Samoa. Li Qiangmin, Special Envoy for the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, paid working visits to Samoa in April and August. In June, Zhang Wei, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), visited Samoa. In September, Wang Hongju, Vice Chairman of the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the National People's Congress, visited Samoa. In the same month, Special Envoy Li Qiangmin led a Chinese government delegation to the 25th Post-Forum Dialogue of the Pacific Islands Forum held in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, during which he met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of Samoa. In April, Minister of Finance Faumuina Tiatia Faaolatane Liuga visited China, and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa Tofa Agafili Patisela Eteuati Tolovaa led a Samoan delegation to join the Political Leaders Delegation of the Pacific Island States in a visit to China. In June, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Faamoetauloa Taito Faale Tumaalii visited China. In November, Prime Minister Tuilaepa attended the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in China, and met with Vice Premier Wang Yang.

Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various areas developed steadily. The National Medical Center Phase I, built with Chinese preferential loans, was completed smoothly and handed over to Samoa. The National Medical Center Phase II and the National Broadband Highway Project were started. Two of the four China-assisted elementary schools were handed over to Samoa. Other technical cooperation projects in agriculture and medical care and the construction of a swimming center progressed smoothly. China provided 2,000 energy efficient air-conditioners to Samoa in support of its effort to save energy and cut emission. A medical team from Guangdong Province visited Samoa and provided free medical services, which was well received by the locals. China actively supported Samoa in hosting the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, and was among the first to donate US$500,000 to relevant UN fund.