Lau
Afioga, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II ma lau Masiofo
Members of the Council of Deputies ma tou Faletua
Ministers of Cabinet,
The Chief Justice and Members of the Judiciary,
Honourable Speaker

Leader of the Opposition,
Members of Parliament,
Ambassador of China, Your Excellency, Fei Mingxing
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Talofa and pleasant good evening to you all.
It is a pleasure for me to join you all this evening to celebrate the
Chinese Spring Festival welcoming the Lunar New Year: The Year of the
Snake. On behalf of the Government and People of Samoa, I extend
through you Ambassador Fei Mingxing, our warm felicitations to the
Government and People of China on the celebration of the Chinese Spring
festival.

I am told that The Chinese Spring Festival is a significant social
practice that reunites families through celebrations of feasting and
camaraderie as we are doing tonight.

Excellency, allow me to convey through you our congratulations to
the Government of China for achieving a milestone with the Chinese Spring
Festival being inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO in December 2024. This places
prominence of such a festival in keeping the traditions and customs of the
Chinese people passed from generation to generation.

The celebrations this evening is of importance not only for the
Chinese community in Samoa but also for our shared appreciation of cultural
diversity and the strong friendship between our two countries.

This year marks another milestone as Samoa and China celebrate 50
years of friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in
November 1975. Samoa and China have nurtured a strong and close
relationship underpinned by our shared commitment to the “One China
Policy.” Samoa attaches great importance to the development of the good
relations that we have fostered over five (5) decades and the promotion of
cooperation and meaningful partnerships in various areas of mutual interests
including infrastructural development, education, health, agriculture, tourism
and cultural exchanges.

In the Health Sector, the Chinese Medical Teams have provided
invaluable services and capacity building for Samoa’s healthcare
professionals on a regular basis. In education, the continuing scholarships
and training programs exemplify the tangible benefits of our collaboration in
building a stronger foundation for our youth.

Our partnership reflects longstanding support to sports; culture and
infrastructural developments through projects as Technical Assistance for
the Rehabilitation of the Apia Park/Tuanaimato sports centres, the new
Police Academy, the Samoa-China Agricultural Technical Aid Project
(SCATAP) and the development of appropriate agricultural technologies
have left lasting footprints in our communities. Moreover, the Friendship
Park, the Culture and Arts Centre at Malifa as well as our sister city
arrangements that stand as a symbol of the cultural bridge that connects our
peoples.

Samoa and China have engaged in high-level visits and meetings,
including the official visit by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture
and Tourism of China and his delegation in late November, following my
Official visit to China in early November 2024. The high-level engagements
signify trust and mutual respect that are fundamental to strengthening of our
relations. I wish to reiterate my sincere appreciation for the gracious
hospitality and successful hosting of my visit. The outcomes of my visit
included the signing of six (6) MOU including that for the Agreement of
the Mutual Visa Exemption, executed tonight which will significantly ease
the process of international travel for both Samoan and Chinese citizens.

In closing, I wish to express my gratitude to Your Excellency,
Ambassador Fei Mingxing, Madame Li Wenjun and the staff of the
Embassy for hosting this wonderful reception to celebrate the Chinese Lunar
New Year. May this New Year bring prosperity, good health and happiness
to all. Let us continue to work together for the benefit of our peoples and for
the shared vision of a brighter future.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in proposing a toast:
Toast: “Happy Chinese Spring Festival – the Year of the Snake and to
the 50 years of friendship between Samoa and China”.

Soifua and God bless.