The Chinese Ambassador, Wang Xuefeng, celebrated Samoa’s 54th Independence in style this week. 

Having taken part in all the formalities for the official programme on Tuesday and Wednesday, Mr. Xuefeng graced the table tennis courts yesterday. 

The occasion was the annual Table Tennis Tournament to celebrate Samoa Olympic Day with the Samoa Table Tennis Association and the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C).

Ambassador Xuefeng watched the games, cheered on the players and in the end presented the trophies and congratulated the winners.

 “Table Tennis is a very popular sport in China,” he said. “I’m very glad to see so many people enjoy this game in Samoa. 

“We would like to work together with Table Tennis Federation of Samoa to make this game more and more popular.” The Chinese Embassy donated the table tennis nets, bats and balls as well as the trophies and jerseys for the tournament.

Recently, the S.A.S.N.O.C received a generous donation from the Chinese Embassy. The donation included a new Canon camera, a video camera, printer, and two laptops.  It was accepted by S.A.S.N.O.C’s President, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i, who acknowledged China’s kind assistance.

 “This is actually not the first time the Chinese Embassy has donated to us,” he said.   “They assisted us while we were preparing to host the Commonwealth Youth Games last year.  “Not only in providing equipments and sports gears, but also in providing us with professional trainers and coaches.

And we are forever grateful to their ongoing support in developing sports in Samoa.” Fepulea’i said the equipment donated would definitely help them with their work.  

“As you are aware now, our teams are starting to go outside to the villages for our programmes. So these equipments will help us to capture and film our trainings and put it on our website so that people will know our programs.”