The government of Samoa signed two agreements with an educational institution in China this week coinciding with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa’s state visit to the country.

Fiame led Samoa’s delegation in China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The visit lasts eight days from 20 to 28 October. 

Fiame first met with the Chinese Communist Party Secretary of the Taizhou Municipal Committee, Jiangsu Province, Jiang Dongdong followed by the signing of the two agreements. 

The agreements are the Samoa Training Program Cooperation Agreement (signed by Taizhou Polytechnic College, the National University of Samoa, and the Government of Samoa) and the Sister-School Cooperation Agreement (signed by the Taizhou Municipal Government and Samoa’s Ministry of Education and Culture).

Fiame is accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai and several heads of government office. 

Those in China for the state visit are the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, Development Bank of Samoa (DBS) CEO, Muaautau Raie Silipa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) CEO, Peseta Noumea Simi, Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS) CEO, Tevaga Viane Tagiilima, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture (MAF) CEO, Seuseu Dr Joseph Tauati and Deputy Vice Chancellor for the National University of Samoa (NUS), Peseta Dr.Desmond Lee Hang.     

Upon arrival, Fiame met Shen Junfeng, Executive Vice Mayor of Taizhou, Jiangsu Province and Liu Jiandong, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People's Government. 

The leaders will discuss bilateral relations and new opportunities to develop those ties. 

Next year marks the 50-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Samoa and China.