Samoan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa Meets with Wang Yi

On May 28, 2022 local time, Samoan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa held talks with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Apia.

Fiame congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) for celebrating the centenary of its founding last year and believes that the 20th National Congress of the CPC will be a great success. Fiame said, I have visited China many times and I appreciate China's development path and people-centered philosophy, and hope to strengthen experience exchanges with China in economic development and poverty reduction in particular and other fields. Samoa firmly pursues the one-China principle and upholds the principle of non-interference in internal affairs on the Taiwan question. Samoa-China cooperation in various fields has achieved remarkable results, effectively helping Samoa to improve infrastructure and raise the level of agricultural modernization. Samoa will continue its efforts to promote the mutually beneficial and win-win partnership of mutual respect and trust between the two countries.

Wang Yi congratulated Samoa on the 60th anniversary of its independence, affirmed the friendly exchanges for nearly half a century since the establishment of China-Samoa diplomatic relations, and appreciates that Samoa has always pursued the one-China principle and supported China in safeguarding its core interests. Wang Yi said that China has always advocated the equality of all countries regardless of their size and strength. As the largest developing country, we have always stood by developing countries and stood firm for fairness and justice for small and medium-sized countries, because China and developing countries share similar historical experiences and have the same development mission, and this Chinese diplomatic tradition will never change in the future.

Wang Yi said that under the changes unseen in a century, developing countries need to strengthen solidarity. China is willing to do its utmost to support developing countries, including Pacific Island Countries, in accelerating their development and revitalization. In this process, China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, never attaches political strings, and never seeks geopolitical interests. China is ready to work with developing countries to jointly achieve development and prosperity and make the world more equitable.

Wang Yi said, China's cooperation with developing countries and Pacific Island Countries does not target the third parties and does not seek exclusive rights. We have no intention to compete with others, and always oppose zero-sum game. China is willing to enhance communication with all countries that care about Pacific Island Countries, especially Australia and New Zealand, and give full play to respective strengths to carry out more trilateral cooperation on the basis of respecting Pacific Island Countries' wishes.

The two sides also exchanged views on the issue of climate change. Wang Yi stressed that China has established the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center and is willing to continue to help small island countries enhance their capacity building on climate change through the framework of South-South cooperation. At the same time, China urges developed countries to earnestly assume their historical responsibility to reduce emissions and fulfill their due obligations. Fiame agreed with that, saying that addressing climate change has become an important cooperation field between Pacific Island Countries and China. She looks forward to the positive role played by the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center.

After the meeting, the two sides attended the signing ceremony of the cooperation documents on economy, technology, culture and others.

On the same day, Samoan Head of State Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II met with Wang Yi.