China’s foreign minister met with Samoan leaders on Saturday for the third stop on an island tour aimed at deepening China’s ties with the Pacific nations.
The two sides signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement, a certificate of delivery of an art and culture center and the Samoa-China Friendship Park and an exchange of letters for a fingerprint laboratory for to the police, said a press release from the Samoan government.
Australia and the United States are closely watching Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s 10-day trip for fear that China may lay the groundwork for a possible military presence in the region that would extend its reach further. Pacific.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the center is escorted from his plane on his arrival in Honiara, Solomon Islands, early Thursday, May 26, 2022. Wang and a delegation of 20 people have arrived in the Solomon Islands at the start of an eight-day tour of the Pacific nation amid growing concerns about Beijing’s military and financial ambitions in the region. (Photo AP) (AP)
China says its development of economic and security ties with the Pacific nations does not pose a threat to others.
Wang, who arrived from Kiribati on Friday night and left for Fiji on Saturday afternoon, met with Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and made a courtesy call to the head of state. Tuimalealiifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II. His delegation included representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the International Development Agency.
Fiame and Wang spoke about climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and security issues, the Samoa statement said.
He described China as a key development partner for Samoa, providing infrastructure for health, education and government, human resource development, sports development and technical assistance in agriculture.
In Fiji, Wang will host a meeting with Pacific Island Ministers of Foreign Affairs and hopes to win the endorsement of 10 Pacific nations for a comprehensive agreement covering everything from security to fisheries.
He began his trip to the Solomon Islands on Thursday.