Premier Li congratulates Samoa’s new PM on assuming office

This undated handout photo received on April 18, 2021 from the Fa’atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) political party shows party leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa in Apia, the capital of Samoa. (HANDOUT / FA’ATUATUA I LE ATUA SAMOA UA TASI (FAST) / AFP)

BEIJING – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message on Thursday to Fiame Naomi Mataafa on her assuming office as Samoa's prime minister.

China and Samoa have achieved substantial progress in their relationship, deepened mutual trust, and gained fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, promoting the well-being of the two peoples, said Premier Li Keqiang

In his message, Li said Samoa is China's good friend and good partner in the Pacific Islands region.

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Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, China and Samoa have achieved substantial progress in their relationship, continuously deepened political mutual trust, and gained fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in various fields, vigorously promoting the well-being of the two peoples, Li said.

The two countries have supported and helped each other in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, further upgrading their friendship, he noted.

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China attaches great importance to the development of China-Samoa relations, and stands ready to work together with Samoa to expand exchanges and cooperation in all areas, and lift China-Samoa comprehensive strategic partnership to higher levels, he added.