When I first came to Samoa as the Chinese Ambassador last year,” His Excellency Mr. Wang Xuefeng says, “I was invited to a concert held in this fale.” 

The fale he is talking about, belongs to the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) at Vaivase, which is also where it is located.

But what impressed His Excellency very much, was the concert. 

“It was such a beautiful concert and I loved it so much,” insists His Excellency:

In fact, he was so touched by it that since then “the Chinese Embassy has continued to strengthen our friendship with the National University,” he says.

As it’s turned out though, that relationship has become so successful so that the Chinese Embassy has introduced a “a Chinese Language course under the university’s Faculty of Arts, where students can learn how to speak Chinese …”

And to ensure the relationship will continue to grow while attracting more interest at the same time, it’s understood that a Chinese volunteer is teaching the course at the University. 

“Two months ago,” His Excellency reveals, “I was invited to the prize giving ceremony for all the students who’d learned Chinese in the first semester. 

“And during the ceremony, I realized that all of them were able to speak Chinese.”

And then on Tuesday this week, the Chinese Embassy presented a gift to the National University’s School of Music in the form of two musical instruments. 

The handover ceremony was held at the N.U.S. Fale, where the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fiu Asofou So’o, accepted the donation from His Excellency, Mr. Wang Xuefeng, in the presence of teachers and students of the School of Music. 

The instruments were a piano and a keyboard that cost $NZD6,000. 

When he handed over the instruments, Ambassador Wang reminded about the Chinese’s ongoing support in developing education in Samoa, and in strengthening China’s relationship with the University.  

He said: “And now we are here today to witness this very special occasion, we cherish this love between our two countries.” 

He also said the handover ceremony was much more than just handing over some musical instruments. 

He said: “Handing over the instruments is handing over our love and friendship. The beautiful music that will come out of these instruments is a symbol of the beautiful friendship that we have and share.” 

Professor Asofou So’o accepted the donation and spoke on behalf of the teachers and students, when he thanked Mr. Wang and the Chinese Embassy for their generosity. 

He said: “The Chinese Government has done a lot for the N.U.S. through His Excellency, Mr. Wang Xuefeng, and the Chinese Embassy in Samoa.”

Last month, the Chinese Embassy sent 10 students from N.U.S. on a trip to China and when they returned, they expressed their appreciation saying they just loved the trip, said Mr. Wang.