By Ambassador of China to Samoa Mr. Chao Xiaoliang
“Even mountains and seas cannot distance people with common aspirations”. Although China and Samoa are oceans apart by thousands of miles, the two peoples have forged a profound and deep-rooted friendship through exchanges and cooperation. Since the establishment of the diplomatic ties in 1975, China and Samoa have both advanced in leaps and bounds and witnessed great changes taking place within two societies and around the globe. Nevertheless, there are cores and focuses within our evergreen friendship that have never changed.
Our determination to deepen mutual trust has never changed. An ancient Chinese philosopher once noted, “In interactions with friends, one should keep his words and always be trustworthy.” Mutual trust is at the heart of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Samoa, leading an endless theme for our bilateral exchanges. Indeed, our two countries always count on each other’s understanding and support on our respective core interests, ushering in a promised future of our long-standing friendship.
Our joint endeavor to advance mutual benefits has never changed. China is always inclined to share the dividence of its development with the world. As one of the first Pacific Island countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, Samoa has advanced great progress in bilateral trade volume with an increase of almost 70 times in 20 years. Nowadays, various products like Noni Juice and Virgin Coconut Oil are gaining ground in Chinese market through platforms as China International Import Expo and China Import and Export Fair.
Our focus on promoting peoples’ welfare has never change. This year, China declared victory in its fight against absolute poverty and is ready to help for people’s benefits around the world. China has been conducting large scales of Agricultural Technical Aid Project in Samoa, bringing techniques for more than 10,000 local families. In April this year, Chinese forensic pathologists arrived to provide short services. By now, more than 20 infrastructure projects have been completed, promoting benefits for Samoan people’s need.
Our willingness to expand people-to-people bonds has never changed. Since the 1980s, China have continuously dispatched more than 130 medical personnel in 19 batches to voluntarily serve in Samoa, providing medical service to more than 80,000 patients. To date, more than 5,000 Samoan people went to China to pursue training in various sectors. Over 1,000 local people studied Chinese language and culture at the Confucius Institute at the NUS. With much strengthened people-to-people ties, China-Samoa friendship is sure to last from generation to generation.
Our commitments to tackle the global challenges has never changed. China understands the special difficulties of Samoa in tackling climate change. In recent years, projects such as Solar streetlights has been launched and financial assistance provided to SPREP. Since the outbreak of pandemic, China and Samoa have worked together and gained fruitful results in information sharing, experience exchange, and cooperation on financial and medical supplies. Medical equipment which worth of $1.53 million were provided to Samoa to fund its response to coronavirus.
After 46 years’ joint efforts, our bilateral relationship is facing with best opportunities. 2021 witnessed the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the successful convening of the 6th plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC. From the communique released and press conference held for the session, China has been reiterating its commitments to promoting common development and building a community of shared future for mankind. Adhered to Global Development Initiative and human’s common value, China will unleash great development potential, benefiting the all-round cooperation between China and other countries including Samoa.
New growth momentum will be generated through refining our blueprint for Belt and Road cooperation. China is ready to expand bilateral cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, focus on economic and commercial cooperation, and give priority to cooperation in agriculture and fishery,digital economy and tourism. Our two countries will strive to build an architecture of practical cooperation that has rich substance and delivers tangible benefit to the real needs of both peoples.
Seeds of friendship will be sown through increasing people-to-people communications. By deepening cooperation in language education, translation of classics, art and culture exchanges and film and TV program production, we can better draw on what our two civilizations have to offer each other. Despite of the ranging pandemic, 26 scholarships will be provided for Samoan students next semester and we are more than glad to see the strengthening ties between young generations through education and cultural communications.
Collaboration in actions is needed in response to climate and ecological challenges. Upholding ecological civilization as one of the development priorities, China shares weal and woe with developing countries and will set up the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center and assist Pacific Island Countries under the framework of South-South cooperation. This year, China will continue its contribution to SPREP since 1998 by providing a yearly donation of 200,000 USD.
As a Chinese saying goes, “When brothers are of the same mind, they have the power to cut through metal”. I firmly believe, with joint efforts of our two peoples, China-Samoa relationship will remain evergreen and usher in a brilliant new chapter.