Dear Editor,

I write this letter as a concerned citizen of Samoa in response to your editorial published in the Samoa Observer titled “Company Denies Link with Chinese Government.” I commend the editorial team for its courage and journalistic responsibility in raising critical issues that impact the sovereignty, transparency, and long-term economic resilience of our nation.

The revelations outlined in your article highlight a broader and far more complex situation than a single company’s denial of government affiliation. This is a matter of national interest. It raises legitimate concerns about foreign economic influence, the weakening of local industries, and the systemic vulnerabilities that may be quietly exploited.

Your editorial asked a pivotal question: Why Samoa? Why would a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, reportedly linked to China National Building Material Group (CNBM), set its sights on a small island nation with modest economic capacity? The answer is likely not about the volume of profit—but about strategic positioning. Samoa sits at the crossroads of the Pacific, and what we offer in size, we more than makeup for in geopolitical significance.

The article connects Wilco Limited to CNBM, which is administered under China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). This is a direct link to the Chinese government. Regardless of what is declared publicly by company officials, corporate records and shareholder structures tell another story. We must approach this situation with eyes wide open.

Local Business Under Threat

Our Samoan business community has always been the economic backbone of this nation. Despite facing rising costs, logistical challenges, and limited external support, our businesspeople continue to invest in local development. They support schools, churches, sports, and community initiatives. These are not just economic actors—they are citizens who give back.

By contrast, multinational or state-backed entities can leverage vast financial and manufacturing power, undercutting prices, draining market share, and driving out local competition. This is not fair competition—it is economic suffocation.

Quality Control and Public Infrastructure

Samoa has witnessed the consequences of poorly regulated foreign construction and supply contracts. Buildings that should last generations are already in visible disrepair. Government facilities, including the National Hospital and the Courthouse at Mulinuu, show alarming signs of structural fatigue, all within a decade of their construction.

This raises essential questions: Who is checking the quality of materials being used? Who is reviewing the costings? Are these companies held to any international or national standards? The responsibility lies with those in charge of procurement, project oversight, and policy enforcement. Public accountability must be restored.

Energy Insecurity and Foreign Exploitation

The recent blackouts that affected homes, businesses, and places of worship reflect another serious concern: energy vulnerability. Solar companies with foreign ownership—some again linked to Chinese investors—are profiting from this crisis. Meanwhile, families suffer power disruptions, damaged appliances, and receive no compensation or explanation.

The people of Samoa deserve a stable and secure energy future. We cannot allow profit-driven interests to control a sector so essential to our daily lives and national development.

Infrastructure Disappointments

Projects like the Tiavi road have become national embarrassments. Promised timelines have been missed, safety concerns persist, and yet there is no public disclosure of penalties or performance reviews. Were local contractors even considered for the job? These repeated failures only underscore the urgency of prioritising transparency, quality, and accountability.

Policy Recommendations

In light of these mounting concerns, I urge our government and leaders to take immediate action:

Create a Foreign Investment Registry to ensure full transparency of ownership structures and shareholder affiliations.

Establish a National Procurement and Quality Assurance Authority to monitor the quality and delivery of all public projects.

Enforce Local Participation Quotas in foreign-owned projects to ensure knowledge transfer and community benefit.

Mandate Fair Trade Practices to ensure that foreign companies do not unfairly undercut local businesses using subsidised products or predatory pricing.

Set Up a Parliamentary Committee on Strategic National Assets and Investments to regularly review the impact of foreign entities in key sectors.

Final Words

This is not a letter of opposition to foreign investment, nor is it motivated by xenophobia. Samoa must continue to engage internationally. However, such engagement must be principled, transparent, and aligned with the best interests of our people.

I thank the Samoa Observer once again for its fearless reporting. Your editorial marks a crucial moment in the national conversation. Let this moment not be wasted. I urge every citizen, leader, and policymaker to reflect deeply, act responsibly, and guard fiercely the future of our independent Samoa.

Yours faithfully,

A Concerned Samoan Citizen