Wednesday, September 17, 2008

China, Samoa vow to strengthen friendship

The heads of governments of China and Samoa agreed here on Wednesday to further advance their friendly and cooperative relationship.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Wen said during the meeting China is ready to lift the friendly, cooperative relationship with Samoa to a new level.

Tuilaepa said Samoa will continue to strengthen its friendly, cooperative relationship with China.

After the meeting, Wen and Tuilaepa attended the signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement on economic and technological cooperation.

Tuilaepa arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day visit to China. He will attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympics on Wednesday evening.

Wen said China and Samoa have always respected each other, carried out friendly cooperation and cooperated closely on international affairs since they established diplomatic links 33 years ago.

Wen said Samoa is a reliable friend of China as the Samoan government firmly adheres to the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence".

Wen expressed willingness to maintain high-level contact, increase trade, investment and economic cooperation and expand cultural exchanges with Samoa.

Tuilaepa congratulated China on the success of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. He said Samoa treasures its friendship with China and will continue to pursue the one-China policy.

Wen called Tuilaepa an old friend of the Chinese people and thanked him for his contribution to the development of China-Samoa relations.

Source: Xinhua

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