The signing of bilateral agreements last Saturday between Samoa and China is not new but Samoa should be "strategic" in how they negotiate, says a Samoan political scientist. 

Dr. Christina La’ala’ai-Tauasa told the Samoa Observer on Tuesday that China is a long-term investor in key infrastructure in Samoa and last Saturday's signing is not new, though she believes the absence of details following the signing puts Samoa in the box seat, to have more influence on the agreements’ implementation.

“There should not be concern about the absence of details – if anything, it’s better not to have details – as it then allows Samoa to have more influence and input into what is agreed upon,” said Dr. Christina, who is an academic at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. 

“It gives Samoa the bargaining power to initiate government priorities and not give into what China wants – so it means less opportunity for China to dictate what they want in Samoa.

“The country deserves an agreement that will serve its interests – as much as it will serve China's.”

In an email response to questions sent by the Samoa Observer, the Samoan academic said evidence of China’s infrastructure investment in Samoa includes the Courts precinct at Mulinu’u, and the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the National University of Samoa.

Amid local and regional concerns that last Saturday’s agreements could see Beijing having more influence over Samoa, Dr. Christina said it is the responsibility of Samoa Government leaders and officials to “read between the lines” and represent the country’s best interest in their discussions.

“It is the [Samoan Government] leaders and government officials’ responsibilities to have to read between the lines and understand what was agreed upon over the weekend,” she added.

“So we depend on them to have the country’s best interests at the heart of such agreements.

“The new [Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi] Government put a stop to the wharf that was to be built in Vaiusu as the costs outweigh the benefits, so I‘m confident they will revisit and review, monitor and assess the status and success of their agreement to ensure it works in the long-term for both parties.” 

Asked what position Samoa should take as geopolitical competition increases in the region between the U.S. and China, the Samoan academic said there has always been geopolitical competition in the Pacific, as it is the nature of politics which boils down to power and influence.

“We have the US with military bases around the world including the Pacific, no one makes a fuss about that, Australia and New Zealand have their own interests in the region, but when China comes in to lend a hand, everyone panics. 

“Understandably, New Zealand and Australia have their own insecurities when China comes into the picture, because they know whatever they have offered the region or to Samoa, China will double or triple it – it’s what you would expect for a country to show their power and influence.”

Dr. Christina said the power and influence dynamic was on show and pointed to last Saturday’s bilateral agreements signing in Apia between China and Samoa.

However, she said it is time for Samoa and other Pacific nations to be “strategic” to ensure the best interest of their countries are served.

“This is evident in the bilaterals that have been signed, and that is to be strategic – in fact it is the only position Samoa and our neighbouring countries [in the Pacific] should be taking,” she said. 

“Agree and sign on what benefits Samoa and what serves the best interest of the country technically and economically, avoid contractual agreements that will cause disunity and fragmented communities. 

“We want to stay away from agreements which will allow (in this case) China to influence or have any impact on our security – physical and cyber, the freedom of the media, our customary lands (and titles) and fisheries resources. 

“Samoa can do that by reading between the lines and being highly alert and strategic in our dealings with China.”