Government of Samoa hosts bilateral meeting with China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

The bilateral meeting had also included the signing of the Economic and Technical Agreement, Handover certificate of the Arts & Culture Center and Samoa-China Friendship Park, and the Exchange of Letter for the Fingerprint laboratory.

From May 26 to June 4 China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit eight Pacific Island Countries which are the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.

Mr. Wang had arrived in Samoa on Friday night through a Charter flight following a visit to Kiribati.

This year marks 47th year since Samoa and China had established diplomatic relations, and the bilateral meeting was aimed at stregthening the countrie's relationship.

According to a statement issued by the Government of Samoa, Mr. Wang was accompanied by Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and the China International Development Cooperation Agency (C.I.D.C.A.).

"The Head of Delegation paid a courtesy call on the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II at his residence Vailele, on Saturday morning 28th May followed by a bilateral Meeting with the Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa at the STA Fale," the statement reads.

"The open environment and natural surroundings provided a fitting setting in view of the existing COVID situation and the precautionary measures encouraged for prevention."

The meeting had also included the signing of the the Economic & Technical Cooperation Agreement for projects to be determined and mutually agreed between the respective Countries; the Handover Certificate for the completed Arts & Culture Centre and the Samoa –China Friendship Park; and the Exchange of Letters for the Fingerprint laboratory for Police complementary to the construction of the Police Academy.

The meeting covered issues of mutual interest and concern including key regional priorities such as climate change, the pandemic and peace and security.

Mr. Wang departed Samoa on Saturday afternoon for Fiji.

According to "Fact Sheet: Cooperation Between China and Pacific Island Countries" issued by China's Foreign Ministry, China has dispatched 600 medical staff to the region, implemented more than 100 aid projects, and has provided the region with 600,000 doses of vaccines and more than 100 tons of anti-epidemic supplies.