China's assistance to Samoa has been instrumental in the country's development, covering a wide range of sectors including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture, according to Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga, Samoa's Government Press Secretary.
His remarks came as Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa continues her nine-day official visit to China, which runs through Thursday.
Tuiletufuga highlighted the significant impact of China's support over the years, noting that the scale of assistance has been "astronomical."
"I think it's safe to say, from the track record of Chinese assistance through this diplomatic relationship, it has been astronomical for my country. When you are talking about working together, for Samoa, our education sector has benefited greatly. Hundreds of our children and students are alumni of Chinese universities under the scholarship program fully funded by the People's Republic of China. Many of them are working in the public sector and in the private sector. And they're all contributing in the development of our small country. In terms of infrastructure, there's a lot, to say a lot is an understatement, a number of new schools have been built and funded by China, and it's out in the villages, the rural areas where it's most needed," Tuiletufuga said in an interview with China Global Television Network.
China's assistance extends beyond infrastructure and education, with notable contributions in healthcare and agriculture. Tuiletufuga pointed to the valuable role of Chinese medical experts, who have been sent to Samoa to share their expertise with local medical practitioners.
"The health sector is a telling story. Medical experts from China have been dispatched and they have sacrificed their time to be in our country, to share their valuable expertise with our medical practitioners. [In] agriculture also, hundreds and hundreds of farmers are benefiting from a program where Chinese agricultural experts are actually staying in Samoa to assist our agricultural sector," he said.
Tuiletufuga expressed high expectations for the future, noting that continued Chinese assistance will be vital for Samoa's continued growth.
"So, in saying that, the expectations for me as a citizen is (are) high. I'm looking at the more assistance we get from China, it will help greatly with the development of our country as a whole," he said.
Samoa is one of the first Pacific Island nations to establish diplomatic ties with China, a relationship which will mark its 50th anniversary next year. This milestone will serve as a reminder of the deep and enduring partnership between the two nations, which has contributed significantly to Samoa's development over the decades.
China's support key to Samoa's development: press secretary
