Bilateral Development Cooperation

Canada enjoys good and friendly bilateral relations with Samoa. The Government of Canada and the Government of Samoa have shared common interests and concerns through membership in several international organizations, such as the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the World Health Organization since formal ties were established in 1971.

With regard to development assistance, Canada supports small-scale, community based projects in Samoa through the Canada Fund for local initiatives (CFLI), administered by the High Commission of Canada in New-Zealand. The CFLI focuses on the implementation of local projects that addresses issues such as children and youth, sustainable and green economic growth, climate change, gender equality, environmental sustainability, emergency response and disaster relief and inclusive support for services for the disabled. Samoa also benefits from multilateral assistance provided under the Canada International Development (CIDA) which is Canada’s lead agency for development assistance.

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Australia is Samoa’s largest bilateral donor and has an enduring partnership strengthened by the Pacific Step Up approach. Its development aid programme which is rolled out through the partnerships for recovery strategy focuses on health security, stability and economic recovery. Australia’s development partnership has indicated that it will continue to support Samoa to strengthen the preparedness and responsiveness of Samoa’s health system and recovery from COVID 19 economic impacts, maintaining stability and prosperity of Samoa whilst aligning as much as possible its investments with Samoa's own national development plans including where it can most effectively support Samoa's development and strengthen its economic resilience.

Australia through its work on the Samoa Fiscal Resilience Program continues to provide general budget support and technical expertise (in conjunction with key partners WB, NZ & ADB) via the Joint Policy Action Matrix to incentivize and support implementation of Samoa’s jointly agreed targets on reforms.

Australia’s development aid programme which is rolled out through the partnerships for recovery strategy focuses on health security, stability and economic recovery.

Security

The two Governments continue to work in partnership toward covering defence and security, economic recovery and growth, human development and people-to-people links; to further strengthen security cooperation consistent with commitments under the BOE declaration; and to continue building leadership and operational capacity through the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP), Defence Cooperation Program and the Samoa Australia Police Program (SAPP) and to explore opportunities for cooperation on border security.

People-to-People Links

Samoa and Australia have strong personal connections, developed through sport and educational linkages. Initiatives such as PacificAus Sports provide opportunities for increased exchanges, strengthened people-to-people links and institutional partnerships, likewise the Labour Mobility schemes. Australia’s commitment to developing people-to-people links with Samoa is also seen through the Colombo Plan. The program provides opportunities for Australian interns/ undergraduates to complete short term study and work based experience in Samoa and other PICs.

Australia also provides volunteers under the Australian Volunteers for International Development Program (AVID) in a range of sectors (both private and public) where there is an absence of locally skilled or qualified expertise. Volunteers under this programme are those who are at management/executive level with a wealth of experience and technical know-how.

Education

Australia’s largest investment is towards the education sector where more than half its development assistance programme is targeted.  Investment is focused on providing support to the education sector through the Education Sector Support Programme 2020 -2024 (ESSP - primarily through budget support and the provision of Technical Assistance. This includes funding for inclusive education and other education related projects.

Australia also aims to assist Samoa build a skilled and educated workforce through the provision of scholarship opportunities to study at tertiary institutions in Australia and the region, including distance and flexible learning. The awards enable students to gain the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to Samoa’s development and address human resource gaps in the workforce.

Relating to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, (APTC) was established in 2007 in Samoa by the Australian Government to address skill shortages and build a resilient Pacific. APTC provides Australian recognized qualifications to vocational students and has also undertaken a partnership agreement with Nuanua o le Alofa (NOLA) to better accommodate and support people with disabilities.

Health

Australia has provided substantial assistance to Samoa both with the measles epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic including financial, medical equipment/supplies and personnel support for vital public health interventions. The COVID-19 package support is part of Australia’s new development policy – Partnerships for Recovery, which focuses on health security, stability and economic recovery particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sample Description

Samoa – Cyprus relations

1.  The Republic of Cyprus became an independent sovereign state on 16 August 1960.

Soon after independence the Republic became a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Council of Europe. Cyprus officially became a member of the European Union in May 2004.

The United Nations has been the main forum of contact between Samoa and the Republic of Cyprus on global issues such as human rights, peace and security, climate change, disarmament, the international criminal justice system and the rule of law.

2.  Samoa established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus in May 2000.

Cyprus was one of the original signatories of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court and is also an active member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Tourism Organisation (UN WTO), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and several other UN Agencies and bodies. Cyprus is a small island state but is no longer a member of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Tourism is one of its most important economic activity. The contributions of Cyprus to development projects in Samoa are primarily through the EU development assistance. We have continued to work closely through our engagement with the European Union, and in areas of common interest particularly through our shared membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. Their support to Samoa is primarily through the EU and its National and Regional Indicative Programmes. Some of the key priority areas the EU supports Samoa and region includes a strengthened water and sanitation sector, climate change, human rights and gender equality to name a few. Just last week, Samoa hosted a Pacific ACP-EU High Level Political Dialogue on the Post-Cotonou Agreement, as well as the EU and UN high-level event on the Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year initiative funded by the EU focussed on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the Pacific. Trade More than half of Cyprus’ trade in goods is done with the European Union. Other major export markets include Norway, Singapore, Libya and Marshall Islands from the Pacific region. Its main import markets are EU, Korea, China, Israel and Russia. Samoa acceded to the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) that exists between the European Union and Pacific States namely Fiji and PNG. Opportunities exist to further develop trade relations with Cyprus in the context of the IEPA given Cyprus’ EU Membership. A detailed brief related to Trade is attached.

3.  Information on Cyprus and Turkey dispute Relations between Cyprus and Turkey is complex.. Cyprus has been a divided state since 1974 when Cyprus was split by a Turkish invasion that followed a Anthens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece. Northern Cyprus is now a Turkish Cypriot state of about 300,000 people and only Turkey recognize it as a country. Samoa along with the majority of the international community, recognises only the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. There have been UN-led efforts to find a peaceful, just and lasting solution to end the division of the island. The mandate for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus is considered by the United Nations Security Council every six months In 2017 following the meeting of the Secretary-General with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akıncı, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, in New York on 4 June, and following consultations with all participants, it was agreed the Conference on Cyprus will reconvene in Geneva. This was to be at the political level under the auspices of the Secretary-General, with the participation of Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akıncı, as well as Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom as guarantor Powers, and in the presence of the European Union as an observer. It was reported that the Cyprus reunification talks in July 2017 collapsed The collapse marked a dramatic culmination to more than two years of a process that had been widely thought of as the best chance at reunification since the island was split between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations in 1974. Cyprus claims the failed July 2017 Conference which convened in Geneva was due to the other sides unwillingness to negotiate within the UN Secretary General’s framework.

CHINA – SAMOA BILATERAL RELATIONS

Samoa’s engagement with China since 1975, remains underpinned by the One China policy. The one China principle is the political basis of the relationship between China and other countries.  Samoa has stood firm in its commitment to the One China Policy unlike a number of PICs that have changed ship albeit Samoa has consistently maintained a non-interference policy when it comes to the Taiwan issue.

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Samoa: November 1975

Diplomatic Representation

China diplomatic representation in Samoa: H.E. Mr. Chao Xiaoling since April 2019 (Ambassador Xiaoling succeeded Wang Xuefeng whose term ended in April 2019)

List of Chinese Ambassadors to Samoa:

October 1978 - June 1979                                           H.E Mr. Zhang Zhanwu

February 1981 – August 1982                                  H.E Mr. Wang Hao

April 1983 – July 1986                                                 H.E Mr. Gu Ji

September 1986 – August 1990                              H.E Mr. Sun Dagang

September 1990 – February 1994                          H.E Mr. Yue Junqing

February 1994- July 1997                                          H.E Mrs. Wang Nongsheng

August 1997 – February 2002                                  H.E Mr. Wang Xingyuan

March 2002 – June 2004                                             H.E Mr. Gu Sicong

June 2004 – April 2006                                                H.E Mr. Liu Guanren

April 2006 – July 2008                                                 H.E Mr. Shi Longzhuang

August 2008- February 2011                                    H.E Mr. Chongren Ma

March 2011 – December 2012                                 H.E Mr. Zhao Weiping

January 2012 – January 2016                                   H.E Mme Yanduan LI

September 15, 2015 – February 2019                  H.E Mr. Wang Xuefeng

Samoa diplomatic representation in China: H.E. Mr Tapusalaia Terry Toomata (since June 2009 when the first Samoa diplomatic mission was set up in Beijing)

Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA)

China continues to provide valuable support to assist with many national development projects in infrastructure, sports, agriculture, education and health. Samoa has also benefited significantly from capacity building programs (scholarships & trainings) as well as people-to-people exchanges including Chinese volunteers /medical teams and technical experts in various fields.

Bilateral assistance is to a large extent administered directly by China (tied aid) and is provided on a project basis in the form of i) grants, following the signing of Economic and Technical Cooperation agreements or ii) loans. The grant element for concessional loans from China is about 27% compared to the grant element of 35% on loans from the soft windows of the World Bank, the I.D.A., and A.D.B.

China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)

Until March 2018, when CIDCA was established, the main authorities responsible for carrying out foreign aid delivery had been the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (MOFA), through more than 20 different subordinated departments and commissions.

China funded Projects/ Programs

Sports

• Rehabilitation and upgrade of the Sports facilities for the Pacific Games hosted by Samoa in 2019 – Apia Park Stadium & Aquatic Centre (Grant/ Status – Project completed)
• Renovations to the stadium, tennis courts at Apia Park
• Construction of a new multi-purpose gym at Tuanaimato (netball, basketball, badminton, Ping-Pong and volleyball)
• Rehabilitation and maintenance of the swimming pool at the Aquatic Centre, Tuanaimato and other facilities/equipment
• Donation of sports equipment, performance props, fireworks & vehicles (87)
• Coach trainings
• Additional works requested on 1 March 2019 (to improve the rubber field track and the fence surrounding the track)

• Sports technical Cooperation Program 2019 (Status – Completed)
• 274 Samoan athletes, 38 local performers and 31 chefs completed 6 month trainings in China under the above program.
• Chinese coaches also provided local trainings for athletes for 4 weeks in preparation for the Pacific Games 2019.

Infrastructure

• Police Academy Project (Grant / Status – Implementation delayed)
• The agreement for the Samoa Police Academy was signed by the MFAT CEO on 26 June 2018. The Samoa Police Commissioner and two other government officials travelled to China in September of the same year to discuss the design specifications for the Police Academy.
• China has awarded the construction contract of the Police Academy to the Engineering firm ‘Top International Engineering Corporation” based in Xian, Shanxi. Implementation of the project had to be postponed from May 2019 due to a number of factors:
• Changes to the project site & late relocation of the Tafaigata Prison
• Hosting of the Pacific Games 2019
• 2019 Measles epidemic & the current COVID-19 pandemic & border closures

• Prisons Fence (Status – Completed)

This project was implemented with the funds collected from the sale of the buses donated by China for the SIDS2014 conference.

• Construction of Three Primary Schools - Lepea, St Theresa & Apia Primary Status – Implementation delayed)

The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the three Primary schools took place during the 3rd China Pacific Economic Forum in Apia in October 2019.  The project works have been delayed due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions/border closures.

• Vaiusu Port (Grant/ Status – Project delayed)

The feasibility study for this project is still ongoing. A pre-feasibility study was undertaken in 2017 by a Guangzhou company that estimated the cost for the proposed wharf at USD$87 million, including the widening of the Asau Harbour channel. The project works have been put on hold for now until travel restrictions and border closures ease because Chinese design & technical teams are not able to travel across.

• Phase II of the Faleolo International Airport Terminal (Concessional Loan USD$50m/ Project completed)

The grand opening ceremony for the new Faleolo International Airport was held on 10 May 2018. The project cost is around USD$60 million. Construction Company (Shanghai Construction Group).

• New Court House and Judges House in Savaii (Status – tbc)

Project proposal for the construction of the new Court House and Judges House at Salelologa in Savaii was submitted on 7 February 2019 for consideration by the Chinese Authorities. Total estimated cost of the project is SAT$2,917,000.00

• NUS Maritime School Equipment (Grant/ Status – Completed)

China (Huizhou Municipality) donated SAT$393,131 (RMB1, 000,000) worth of maritime and marine science research equipment to the NUS School of Maritime in November 2020. This assistance is part of Phase II of the China-funded project: NUS Maritime Training and Marine Ocean Campus which was completed in November 2015.

• Samoa Arts and Culture Centre (Project Status – Ongoing)

The Arts and Culture Centre is funded by the Huizhou Municipal People’s Government in China. The project is 95% complete. The delay in works is due to COVID.

• Samoa-China Friendship Park (Project Status – Ongoing)

The Friendship Park is funded by the Huizhou Municipal People’s Government in China. It is part of the Apia Waterfront Development Project also funded by the Government of New Zealand. Progress has been slow due to the current pandemic.

Health

Chinese Medical Teams

The agreement for the Chinese Medical Teams (CMT) was signed on 18 May 2018 by the Minister of Health. CMTs are dispatched on six monthly assignments in different specialized medical fields that include Neurosurgery, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Urology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Acute care, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology. The composition of the medical teams is discussed/agreed between the Samoa & Chinese governments - depending on the need at the hospitals especially given the shortage of local /medical specialist personnel.

The assistance include medical equipment and medicine for use at the hospitals as well as medical practice/trainings for local health personnel at the teaching hospital. 4 CMTs dispatched since 2018:

CMT1 – arrived in July 2018

CMT 2 – January 2019

CMT 3 – July 2019

CMT 4 – October 2020 (8 medical specialists)

Medical Professional Training Program for Pacific Island Countries (PICs)

Samoa was invited to the 3rd Medical Professional Training Program for the PICs that was organized by the Health Commission of Guangdong province from 5 June – 31 August 2019. The 1st Medical Professional Training was held in 2017. 

China’s assistance towards COVID-19

• Donation from Guangdong Provincial Government (anti-COVID-19 medical supplies)
• Protective face masks, surgical gloves, disposable protective clothing, COVID-19 diagnostic test kits & thermometers
• Donation to the Joint Response Fund USD$100,000 towards Samoa’s COVID-19 Recovery efforts
• Donation of SAT$1.53m worth of PPEs and medical equipment
• Donation received through the Chinese Embassy:
• medical devices for treating COVID-19 infections
• 2 intensive care ventilators
• 50 sets of breathing circuit masks
• 2 mobile UV disinfection vehicles
• 25 UV disinfection lamps
• USD$250,000 provided to Samoa through the China-Pacific Island Countries Anti-Epidemic Cooperation Fund
• 6 voluntary experts of the Chinese Medical Teams working at the TTM hospital and supporting Samoa’s covid-19 response
• Agreement for the extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (G20 Initiative) signed with China / loans for projects
• China officially joined the COVAX facility in October 2019. It has recently announced its plan to provide 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries under this facility.

Community Development

• Training Course on Creative Handicrafts & Sewing Skills (Hunan International Business Vocational College) Status - Completed 

The first Training Course on Creative Handicrafts and Sewing Skills for Samoa was held successfully by the Hunan International Business Vocational College (in coordination with the Embassy of China in Apia, MWCSD and MFAT) in 2017. 80 women from 4 villages (Vaimoso, Faleasiu, Lotofaga & Vaiala) were trained and each received sewing machines for their participation in the program.

A further 80 women and men were trained in 2018 in 4 villages including those from the district of Gagaifomauga I and II in Savaii.

Agriculture

• Samoa-China Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project SCATAP (Grant/ Status – Project extended from 2020)

The first phase of the agricultural training and demonstration project started in 2009. The 4th phase completed in May 2020 and Phase 5 due to commence but anticipating delays due to COVID, so timing is approximately September or thereafter.

• JUNCAO Mushroom Technology/Cultivation Training

2 members of the China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology visited Samoa during the period 18 – 23 November 2019 to introduce/discuss the JUNCAO technology. The Research Centre is planning to donate goods/supplies for the mushroom cultivation training to be conducted by SCATAP project experts at the demonstration farms at Nuu.

Education

• NUS Confucius Institute – Chinese Language Programs (Status – Ongoing)

The Confucius Institute at the National University of Samoa was officially opened on 10 September 2018. The institute offers Chinese language programs and hosts a variety of Chinese cultural activities. Only one language teacher is in Samoa while the rest of the teaching staff are stranded in China due to the situation with the COVID pandemic and border closures. 

People-to-People Links/ Education

 

Trainings

Samoa continues to benefit from capacity building training programs/seminars offered/hosted by the Government of China each year. MFAT & PSC facilitate the participation of officials (public service/private sector) to trainings in China focusing on key areas such as governance, ICT, tourism management, agriculture, economic diplomacy, culinary, finance, aviation, trade and fisheries.

Scholarships

Chinese Government Scholarship Awards

China has been funding scholarships for Samoan students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programs in China since 1982. The scholarship program is administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). More than 200 Samoan students have enrolled in Chinese universities since the inception of the program. There are currently over 90 Samoan students in China.

Audit Scholarships

The Nanjing Audit University provides scholarship opportunities for the staff of the Samoa Audit Office to undertake postgraduate degrees in auditing in China each year. 

Chinese Teachers/Volunteers

China has been providing volunteers from the Confucius Institute to teach Chinese Language at the National University of Samoa (NUS) since 2005. Other volunteers teach at the Primary and Secondary Schools.

Trade Issues

• There are ongoing discussions on the most appropriate trade arrangement with China.
• E-commerce is in infancy stages of development in Samoa.

One Belt One Road Initiative 

One Belt One Road Forum

The Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious economic foreign policy was unveiled by President Xi Jinping in 2013.Transport Minister Papalii Lee Hang attended the launching of this initiative in early 2017. The MoU was signed between the Minister of MCIL Hon Lautafi Purcell and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission of China Mr He Lifeng on 19 September 2018. Samoa is one of the first PICs to join this initiative, regarded as an important platform for building and promoting trade, communications, transport, investment, tourism and cultural relations.

The Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing from 25 – 27 April 2019 and attended by the Minister of MCIL/Public Enterprises Hon Lautafi Purcell.

Bilateral Agreements & MoUs

Air Services Agreement

The China-Samoa Air Service Agreement (ASA) was signed in September 2016. 

Sister Cities Agreement/ Assistance (Huizhou/ Guangdong)

Grant assistance from China has taken a slight turn with some Grant development assistance channeled through and managed by Chinese Provincial governments / municipalities. Sister cities agreement between Apia and Shenzhen was signed in Apia in August 2015 and Huizhou (both cities in Guangdong Province) in November 2015 with the purpose of developing closer relations with these southern cities with historical people-to-people links with Samoa. Under the One Belt One Road initiative, Guangdong Province has been assigned by the Central Government to oversee relations with the Pacific Countries.

Samoa has signed a number of Agreements and MOUs with Huizhou Guandong Municipality:

• MOU on Scholarships and Donation of Teaching Equipment signed by the Hon. Prime Minister Tuilaepa S Malielegaoi and Mr Mai Jiaomeng, Mayor of Huizhou on November 11, 2015.

Since 2016, the Huizhou Municipal People’s Government has donated 23 sets of electronic teaching platforms and 3 computer rooms to colleges in Samoa.

• MOU on Medical Service Cooperation & Donation of Medical Equipment between Huizhou Central People’s Hospital and the TTM Hospital signed by the former Minister of Health Hon. Leao Tuitama and Mr Mai Jiaomeng, Mayor of Huizhou on November 11, 2015.

• Framework Agreements on the Construction of the Samoa-China Friendship Park at Eleelefou, Samoa-China Arts and Culture Centre at Malifa signed by the Hon Prime Minister Tuilaepa S Malielegaoi and former Ambassador Wang Xuefeng on 20 July 2018.

• MOU between Guangdong Provincial Government and Samoa Government on Economic and Technical Cooperation signed by the MFAT CEO, Peseta Noumea Simi during the APEC meeting in PNG in 2018.

• MOU between Huizhou Hualuogeng Secondary School (Guangdong Province) and Samoa College (Sister Schools). Samoa College students and teachers visited China in 2018. The visit was featured in the documentary titled ‘China and the Pacific Islands: Shared Destiny’.

Other MOU/ Agreements:

• MOU on Cooperation in Human Resources Development on areas such as agriculture, tourism business, trade, public administration, information and communications technology, infrastructure, energy and community development among others (Signed November 2018)
• MOU on the establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (Signed November 2018)
• MOU between the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs of China and the Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

High Level Visits

China Recent HL Visits:

• October 2019 – Vice Premier Hu Chunhua (3^rd China-Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Forum, Apia)
• April 2019 – H.E. Mr Luo Shugang, Minister of Tourism (China Pacific Tourism Year 2019)
• March 2011 – Chairman of China’s CPPCC Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin (Bilateral Visit)

Samoa Recent HL Visits:

• September 2018 – Hon Prime Minister Tuilaepa S Malielegaoi & Minister of Commerce Hon Lautafi Purcell (World Economic Forum/ Signing of the EoN for the Pacific Games 2019 assistance & the MoU for the Belt and Road Initiative)
• 2013 – Hon Prime Minister Tuilaepa S Malielegaoi & government ministers (China Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, Guangzhou)
• 2010 – Hon Prime Minister Tuilaepa S Malielegaoi (Shanghai Expo)
• Annual visits by Pacific Members of Parliaments sponsored by China’s CPC

CHINA AND THE PACIFIC

China-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum

The1st China-Pacific Economic Forum was held in Nadi Fiji in 2006 followed by the 2^nd Forum hosted by China in Guangzhou in November 2013. Samoa hosted the 3^rd Forum in October 2019 which was attended by China’s Vice Premier H.E. Mr Hu Chunhua. The Forum which is held every 4 - 5 years, is a cooperation between China and PICs (with diplomatic relations with China). New Zealand and Australia attend the Forum as observers.

The main outcomes of the 3^rd Forum include:

• Signing of the China-Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Program of Action with 8 PICs
• Signing of MoUs (i) Infrastructure Cooperation ii) Strengthening investment and production capacity & iii) E-commerce

China Pacific Agriculture Ministers Meeting

The 1^st China Pacific Agriculture Ministers Meeting was held in Nadi, Fiji from 28 – 29 March 2019. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Nadi Declaration which included the agreement to jointly formulate a 2020-2022 Action Plan to identify the priorities for agricultural cooperation. The Nadi declaration also calls on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural affairs of China to offer annual agricultural technology training courses for the PICs to bring their industries in line with Chinese standards. The first training course was launched in April 2019.

The 2^nd Agriculture Ministers Meeting of China and Pacific Island States will be held in China in 2022.

At present, the main agriculture exports to China from the Pacific are fish and nonu which are exported by Chinese companies based in the islands (Samoa – Huanan Fish Company and Skyline Nonu). Transportation costs to China and the length of shipping time remains a huge challenge for the Pacific.

Tourism

China has been a member of SPTO for many years however, there has not been much progress in terms of tourism numbers in the Pacific Island Countries as a result, other than attendance at various Tourism Exhibitions in China for PICs.

Direct flights is the key to tourism links with China. Over 90% of China’s outbound to the PICs go to Fiji and Palau. Tourism arrivals from China to Samoa however is very low (less than 2000 per annum, mostly business/government project related and those transiting in Pago Pago). The lack of direct flights between the two countries continues to be the main obstacle in developing and increasing tourism flow.

The launch of the Pacific China Tourism Year 2019 is an important step in the cooperation between China and the Pacific, especially in the development of the tourism sector both for Samoa and the region.

China-Pacific Island Countries Second Vice Ministers Special Meeting on COVID-19 

The 2nd Vice Ministers’ Special Meeting on COVID-19 was held virtually on 30 November 2020. The meeting was co-chaired by the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang and the Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele. Representatives from China and 10 PICs (with established diplomatic ties with China) participated in the meeting.

The two sides reviewed the significant achievements of their cooperation on combating COVID-19, especially since the first vice ministers’ special meeting on COVID-19 on May 13, 2020.

China reaffirmed the commitment of making the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine, when available, a global public good, as part of its contribution to vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries, including Pacific Island Countries.