Samoan leaders have joined the international community in showing support for China as the country battles the deadly coronavirus.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has reported that Samoa's Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, sent a condolence letter to the Chinese President Xi Jinping in relation to the coronavirus outbreak.

Closer to home, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi met with China's Ambassador to Samoa, Chao Xiaoliang to convey Samoa's sympathy and support as well as to get an update on the efforts by the Chinese government to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

The Deputy Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Commerce Minister Lautafi Fio Selafi Purcell, and the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Lopao’o Natanielu Mua also met with the Chinese Ambassador on February 8 to discuss the health crisis.

The National University of Samoa (NUS) President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Alec Ekeroma, also expressed his condolences in a letter to the Deputy Chief Executive of the Confucius Institute, Ma Jianfei.

The travel restrictions imposed on travellers from mainland China has also affected the 2020 academic programs of the Confucius Institute, as its Chinese language lecturers are unable to travel to Samoa due to a ban. 

The Vice Chancellor wrote: “We continue to stand by and offer any support that we can from here. Meanwhile we wish you good health and stay safe during this time.”

Samoan students in China recently posted a video of them singing, “Let the world be filled with Love” and dedicated the song to the people of China. 

Samoa's Ambassador to China, Tapusalaia Terry To’omata, played the piano for the students. 

Leaders of different states around the world have also thrown their support behind China and include the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaska, and the Italian President Sergio Mattarella.