On October 30, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Samoa Fei Mingxing published a signed article titled “Fifty Years Hand in One Canoe, Sailing Toward the Next Half-Century of China-Samoa Friendship—On the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Chinese Embassy in Samoa” in Samoa Observer. The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Embassy in Samoa, as well as the 50th anniversary of the visit to China by the late Head of State of Samoa, Malietoa Tanumafili II. Over the past five decades, the Embassy has evolved from a modest temporary premise into a modern new compound, and China-Samoa relations have achieved a historic leap from diplomatic establishment to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

As a Samoan proverb goes, “O le fogava‘a e tasi” (“We are in the same canoe”). An ancient Chinese saying notes, “Those with shared aspirations are not deterred by mountains and seas.” For half a century, spanning the vast ocean, China and Samoa have ridden in the same canoe, stood together through storms, and forged a friendship of mutual benefit and mutual understanding.

Political mutual trust serves as the ballast for steady growth of China-Samoa relations. On November 6, 1975, China and Samoa established diplomatic ties. The following year, Head of State Malietoa visited China, laying a solid foundation for bilateral friendship. Over the fifty years since diplomatic relations were established, high-level exchanges between the two countries have remained frequent, continuously consolidating political mutual trust. In 2014, the two sides established a strategic partnership, which was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018, opening a new chapter for bilateral cooperation.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, many senior Chinese leaders have visited Samoa to advance friendship. Senior Samoan dignitaries including Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Speakers and Chief Justices have paid visits to China for meetings, conferences and exchanges. Regular high-level engagement and multi-tiered official interactions have built consensus and consolidated the political foundation of China-Samoa friendship.

Practical cooperation delivers tangible benefits and improves people’s lives. Rooted in Samoa’s development needs, China has funded more than 20 infrastructure projects covering public buildings, transport and cultural and sports facilities to boost local development and wellbeing. In agriculture, six phases of Chinese technical assistance programmes have trained over 10,000 local farmers to strengthen Samoa’s agricultural capacity. In healthcare, 25 batches of over 150 Chinese medical experts have provided services to more than 210,000 patients with dedication.

In education and human resource development, China has offered scholarships and training programmes, supporting more than 3,500 young Samoans to pursue studies and training in China. Chinese-aided stadium and natatorium facilities supported Samoa’s hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games. Chinese coaches have helped Samoan athletes achieve good results in regional competitions. Responding to the concerns of Pacific island countries, China supports Samoa in developing green energy and addressing climate change to protect the marine ecosystem of the South Pacific.

State-to-state relations thrive when peoples are connected, and people-to-people bonds grow from heartfelt communication. Chinese language programmes and Chinese major are now available in schools and the National University of Samoa. Cultural events bring people closer. Many Samoan students who have studied in China have returned home to work in various sectors, becoming ambassadors of China-Samoa friendship. Sub-national exchanges are also gaining momentum through economic, trade and cultural cooperation.

The enduring friendship also owes much to ordinary people. Generations of Samoan friends have witnessed the growth of the Embassy. They have helped Chinese diplomats adapt to local life. Local construction workers, medical assistants, demonstration farmers and other friendly figures form the bedrock of our bilateral ties. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them, who have shared their valuable experiences with embassy staff. Though seldom featured in the spotlight, their consistent dedication has rooted China-Samoa friendship deeply in the hearts of both peoples.

The evolution of the Embassy compound is a vivid testament to China-Samoa friendship. When the Embassy opened in October 1976, it operated in a rented simple premise with tough living and working conditions. The Samoan Government and local communities offered generous support from the very beginning. The old compound built in the early 1980s served for more than four decades and hosted countless bilateral exchanges. In 2024, the new Embassy compound blending Chinese architectural features with traditional Samoan styles was inaugurated, becoming a new landmark of friendship in Apia. Its site selection, planning and construction would not have been possible without strong support from all sectors of Samoa.

Fifty years of shared journey mark a new starting point. China stands ready to work with Samoa to uphold the one-China principle, practice multilateralism and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Both sides will deepen cooperation on green energy, digital economy, marine conservation, agriculture, fisheries, education, health and climate change to help Samoa achieve sustainable development. Youth, think-tank and sub-national exchanges will be strengthened to pass down the friendship from generation to generation.

As a Chinese poem reads, The Pacific Ocean is wide and full of opportunities. As China and Samoa keep rowing side by side, their friendship will, in the next fifty years, be as boundless as the Pacific and evergreen as the coconut groves.