China and Samoa have set an example for solidarity, coordination and common development of Global South countries, said President Xi Jinping while meeting with Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa in Beijing on Tuesday.
"You are Samoa's veteran statesman, and also an old friend of the Chinese people. You have visited China five times. China and Samoa share a long-standing friendship. More than a century ago, many Chinese went to work and live in Samoa. They made positive contributions to local development. Samoa was the first Pacific island country to achieve independence, and was among the first batch of Pacific island countries that established diplomatic relationship with the People's Republic of China in 1975. Over the nearly 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Samoa have always respected each other, treated each other as equals and cooperated for win-win results, setting an example for solidarity, coordination and common development of the Global South countries," said Xi.
Mata'afa said she visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China on Monday.
"What we have seen indicates an evolving transformation happening in China. There is commitment and dedication on the faces of the people," she said.
Mata'afa arrived in Beijing, the final stop of her nine-day visit to China, on Monday.
This is her first official visit to China as prime minister of Samoa.
China, Samoa set example for Global South countries' solidarity, coordination: Xi
China, Samoa set example for Global South countries' solidarity, coordination: Xi
China will continue carrying out all-round cooperation with Pacific Island countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is paying an official visit to China.
According to a report on November 20 by Australia's international policy think tank Lowy Institute, China has regained its place as the second-largest bilateral donor to Pacific Island countries.
"Samoa is one of the first Pacific Island countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China, and to sign the MOU on Belt and Road cooperation with China. The Faleolo International Airport, renovated with the support of a Chinese company, is one of the most modernized international airports in South Pacific, and the China-aided government building, depicted on the new banknotes of Samoa, has become a popular spot for the locals to visit and take photos," said Mao.
"The friendly ties between China and Samoa epitomize China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries. China develops its relations with Pacific Island countries under the principle of 'four full respects', and provide economic and technology aid with no political strings attached. We have rolled out close to 500 projects with various kinds of aid and concessional loans to help Pacific Island countries build roads, bridges, ports, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure, and trained over 10,000 professionals, bringing tangible benefits to the local people. China has made active effort to support Pacific Island countries in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, built new platforms according to their national conditions for climate response, agricultural cooperation, poverty alleviation and development, and kept exploring new areas for cooperation," she said.
"We will continue carrying out all-round cooperation with Pacific Island countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness to support Pacific Island countries' development," said Mao.
The "four full respects" principle is: China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific island countries, fully respects their will, fully respects their cultural traditions and fully respects their effort to seek strength through unity.
China will continue all-round cooperation with Pacific Island countries: FM spokeswoman
