On the afternoon of November 26, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
Xi Jinping noted that Samoa was among the first Pacific Island countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations nearly 50 years ago, the two countries have maintained traditional friendship, mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation. China has consistently advocated that all countries, regardless of their size, are equal and have the right to independently achieve modernization. China firmly supports Samoa in safeguarding its sovereignty and independence, and independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions. China is ready to work with Samoa to uphold mutual respect and trust, strengthen exchanges of experience in governance and development, continue to provide assistance to Samoa's economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation, tap the potential in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries and other fields, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve common development. The two sides should promote mutual learning between civilizations, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, youth and other people-to-people fields, and push forward the steady and long-term development of the China-Samoa comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping stressed that China develops its relations with Pacific Island countries under the principles of respect, namely: respect for sovereignty and independence; respect for the will of the countries; respect for the ethnic and cultural traditions and respect for the countries' commitment to unity. In providing assistance to Pacific Island countries, China does not attach political strings to such assistance. It neither imposes its will onto others nor makes empty promises. China's policy toward Pacific Island countries is open and inclusive, with no selfish motives, and without targeting any third party or engaging in geopolitical competition or spheres of influence. China is ready to make helping Pacific Island countries enhance their capacity to cope with climate change a priority area of cooperation, promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, safeguard fairness, justice and the common interests of the Global South, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said that under the outstanding leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has made great achievements in development, setting an example for countries in the Global South. Samoa is willing to learn from Chinese modernization, especially President Xi Jinping's experience in governance related to poverty alleviation and green development. She thanked China for its long-standing and valuable assistance to Samoa. Samoa highly appreciates that China upholds the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, does not attach any political strings to its assistance to the Pacific Island countries, and always keeps its word and delivers on its promises. Samoa firmly abides by the one-China principle and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. Samoa regards China as an important strategic partner and looks forward to taking the opportunity of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year to promote further development of bilateral relations.
Following the meeting, the two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Samoa.
Wang Yi was present at the meeting.
