19th Congress of China’s Communist Party opens new chapter for China-Samoa friendship

05 November 2017, 12:00AM

H.E.Wang Xuefeng, 

Ambassador of the 

People’s Republic of China

 

Two weeks ago, the 19th National Congress of China’s Communist Party (C.P.C.) successfully concluded in Beijing and received 855 congratulatory messages and letters from 452 major political parties from all over the world. 

The leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.), Hon. Tuilaepa, Prime Minister of Samoa was among the first to send congratulations to President Xi Jinping. 

He said in his congratulatory letter: “I wish to extend to Your Excellency my congratulations on your re-election as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China.” 

He also hoped that the cooperation between Samoa and China will be further strengthened. 

President Xi Jinping replied and expressed his heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Tuilaepa, the Human Rights Protection Party and Government of Samoa. 

President Xi stressed in his reply letter that “C.P.C. is ready to join hands with H.R.P.P. to bring our friendly party-to-party cooperation to a higher level and further enhance the China-Samoa strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development, making unremitting efforts to bring benefits to our two countries and two peoples”.

The 19th National Congress of C.P.C. is a meeting of great importance taking place during the decisive stage in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and at a critical moment as socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. 

At present, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. 

China is the second largest economy, the largest developing country and the permanent member of the Security Council of the U.N. C.P.C. has a history of 96 years with 89 million party members, ranking the first in all the political parties in the world. 

The general guiding principle and action plan for the Party and the country set by the 19th National Congress of C.P.C. will exert great influence not only on China, but also on the world at large, and hence attracting attention from international communities.

The theme of the 19th Congress is: ‘Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, secure a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, strive for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation’.

The Congress reviewed the historical changes in the course of development of the Party and the country in the past five years since the 18th National Congress of C.P.C. It expounded the rich connotation of Xi Jinping’s thoughts of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and mapped out the blueprint for China’s development in the next several decades. It also enforced important measures in ensuring full and strict governance over the Party.

Therefore the report delivered by Xi Jinping at the 19th National Congress of C.P.C. is a manifesto and guideline for action for C.P.C. to lead Chinese of all ethnic groups in the drive to secure the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

In Part XII of the report regarding China’s foreign policy for the new era, Xi Jinping pointed out that China has always been following a path of peaceful development and working to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

He also stressed that C.P.C. strives for both the well-being of Chinese people and human progress. It is the Party’s abiding mission to make new and greater contributions for mankind. China follows the principle of achieving the shared growth through discussion and collaboration in engaging in global governance. 

China stands for democracy in international relations and the equality of all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor.

China supports the United Nations in playing an active role in international affairs and supports the efforts of other developing countries to increase their representation and strengthen their voices in international affairs. China will actively promote international cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative and create new drivers of shared development.

China will increase assistance to other developing countries, especially the least developed countries and do its part to reduce the South-North development gap. China will continue to play its part as a major and responsible country, take an active part in reforming and developing the global governance system, and keep contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to global governance.

In the past one year, we are glad to see the increasing development of China-Samoa relationship and the deepening mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples. There have been frequent high-level visits between China and Samoa. In May, the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Zheng Zeguang paid a working visit to Samoa and had in-depth discussions with Samoan leaders and M.F.A.T. for furthering bilateral ties.

In September, Special Envoy of China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, Ambassador Du Qiwen attended the Forum Dialogue in Apia. In October, Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa attended the Ocean-Related Ministerial Roundtable for China and Island Countries in Fujian Province. Earlier this year, Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Papali'itele Niko Lee Hang took part in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

This week, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Purcell is visiting China. In early December, the Minister of Information Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupa’i will go to China to attend the 4th World Internet Conference and after the conference he will meet the officials from concerned sports commission in China together with officials from Samoa Rugby Union to explore the prospect for cooperation the rugby sport.

There have been fruitful results in terms of exchanges and cooperation in all fields. The Chinese and Samoan governments signed the Civil Air Transport Agreement, laying the foundation for future cooperation between the civil airlines of the two countries. The new Faleolo International Airport Departure Terminal has been running for nearly a year, and the construction of the Arrival Terminal will be completed by the end of this year.

Phase four of the China-Samoa Agricultural Technical Cooperation has been started. Phase Seven Technical Cooperation of the Aquatic Centre and Apia Park Stadium has also kicked off. Chinese experts will provide technical support and assistance to Samoa’s rugby games and other sports events. The Chinese government has also agreed to build the Police Academy and provide teaching equipment to the N.U.S. Maritime College.

Twenty two Samoan young people went to China for tertiary education with the Chinese Government Scholarship this year. Nearly 300 Samoan nationals from government, business, academic and non-profit organizations traveled to China for training in wide-ranging fields such as education, agriculture, fisheries, new energy, garment, catering, tourism, industry and infrastructure. We held the first ever Training Course here in Samoa on Creative Crafts and Sewing Skills which benefited 80 female villagers.

In September, 10 teachers and students from the Samoa College visited Guangdong Province of China for exchanges with their sister school, Hua Luogeng Middle School in Huizhou city. Earlier, over 1,000 primary school and college students and 20 undergraduate students were granted the “China Guangdong (Huizhou) Friendship scholarships”.

Huizhou city also donated Audio-visual platforms and computer classrooms to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture as well as seven colleges, and donated medical equipment worth three million Tala to the Ministry of Health and National Health Service.

Four doctors from the National Health Service received four-months training in Huizhou on how to operate the medical equipment donated by Huizhou Municipal government. The Friendship Park and Cultural Center projects implemented by Huizhou city are also unfolding smoothly.

Last Friday, I signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Independent State of Samoa with Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa. This is a new round of grant aid from the Chinese government for the economic development and improvement of well-being of people in Samoa.

Today, 6 November marks the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Samoa. The past four decades have witnessed the political mutual respect and trust, economic cooperation of mutual benefit and valuable support in international affairs between China and Samoa. China-Samoa relationship has become the model of China’s friendly cooperation with Pacific Island countries.

In retrospect, we cherish the friendship between the people of our two countries more which has already lasted for over four decades. Looking into the future, we are fully confident of the bright prospect of the China-Samoa relationship.

According to the development objectives for China as set out by the 19th National Congress of C.P.C., by 2020 when China will have finished building the moderately prosperous society in all respects, we will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of China-Samoa diplomatic relations; by 2035 when China will have basically realized the socialist modernization, we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of China-Samoa diplomatic relations; by 2050 when China will have developed into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic and culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful, we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Samoa diplomatic relations;

My dear Samoan friends, China, a great nation with over 5,000 years of history has entered a new era and is radiating drive and vitality on its new journey toward the realization of China Dream under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s new thoughts of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The ancient oriental nation is rejuvenating. Samoa, a dazzling gem of the South Pacific, the cradle of Polynesian culture, and the first country to greet the first sun’s rays and is a country full of hope. Both China and Samoa are making progress with each day passing by. 

Let us join hands in keeping on furthering our friendship and sail to the glory destination where people of both our two countries enjoy a more beautiful life.

 

H.E.Wang Xuefeng, 

Ambassador 

of the 

People’s Republic of China

05 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>