China-Samoa ties showcase China's cooperation with Pacific Island Nations

China-Samoa cooperation has left its footprints everywhere in Samoa, said Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Mao highlighted that Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's visit to China is an opportunity to build an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island countries.

Noting that 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, Mao said that Faleolo International Airport, renovated with the support of a Chinese company, is one of the most modern international airports in the 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.

"The friendly ties between China and Samoa epitomize China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries," she said, adding that China develops its relations with Pacific Island countries under the principle of respecting the Pacific Island countries' sovereignty and independence and their will, cultural traditions, and effort to seek strength through unity and provide economic and technological aid with no political strings attached.

China has made an 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, and kept exploring new areas for cooperation, Mao said, emphasizing that China will continue carrying out all-round cooperation with Pacific Island countries to support their development.

(Cover photo: Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at the daily press conference, 26 November, 2014, Beijing, China. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)