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P R 020507Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY APIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0419
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 
INFO AMEMBASSY SUVA 
AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 
AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 
AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 
AMEMBASSY KOROR 
AMEMBASSY MAJURO 
AMEMBASSY APIA

UNCLAS APIA 000002 
 
 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO EAP/ANP, EAP/CM AND EAP/PD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINR PGOV PREL WS
SUBJECT: CHINA AID TO SAMOA: A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND-OR WHAT 
HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY? 
 
---------- 
1.Summary: 
---------- 
 
If a friend in deed is indeed a friend, then China is a very 
good friend to Samoa. China's deeds are many and 
magnificent-most recently a grand, multistory court building to 
house all of Samoa's various courts, as well as related offices, 
new, more fire resistant archive storage, and all the 
furnishings. The week that building was opened, an agreement was 
signed for a new Ministry of Health / hospital complex, and 
plans were unveiled for a six-story ministry of works building 
complete with conference center. Chinese support comes in many 
forms, represents nearly countless-millions (dollars, tala, 
yuan, whichever way you count it) and covers a staggering number 
of projects.  (End summary). 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶2. China/Samoa Historical and Cultural Relations: 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
Chinese traders established trade depots throughout the Pacific 
in the late nineteenth century, including in Samoa, however it 
was the German-Samoa administration that helped give Samoa a 
lasting connection to China. To support agriculture, 
German-owned plantation companies imported indentured workers. 
By the late 1920's, the Chinese community (including 
inter-marriage with Samoans) had created Samoa's second largest 
minority group (second only to part European Samoans). Before 
(Western) Samoa's independence in 1962, the New Zealand-Samoa 
administration put forward policies to "export" the Chinese back 
to their homeland, nevertheless, a major percentage stayed. The 
remaining population continued to inter-marry the general Samoan 
population and established businesses which became the 
cornerstone of Samoa's economy in the 1960's, 70's, 80's, and 
even today.  In acknowledging its minority societies, and their 
existence outside of the extended family/matai system, the newly 
independent Samoa incorporated in its constitution political 
rights for part-Europeans and Chinese to vote and be members of 
parliament by setting aside two seats to be elected by the 
independent (not village district) voters. Currently one of the 
highest Government of Samoa (GoS) officials of Chinese descent 
is the Minister of Finance, Niko Lee Hang. 
 
Today, the 1900's indentured Chinese laborer descendants have 
intermarried, assimilated and gained citizen/political rights 
equal to those of indigenous Samoa population.  Although they 
are distinguished through their mixed Samoan-Asian facial 
features, distinctive Chinese surnames and predominant business 
success, they consider themselves, and are considered by other 
Samoans simply as Samoan. 
 
In the past 20 years or so, a new influx of Chinese and other 
Asians has come to Samoa. Unlike the earlier group that 
assimilated, the newcomers tend to stay within their minority 
groups, and where earlier Chinese are now assimilated into all 
Samoan Christian denominations, some of the new Asian settlers 
include the first small number of Muslims, or other 
non-Christian religions.  With landownership tied to customary 
land (traditional family/village groups), the new arrivals have 
chosen to focus on small enterprise and the service sector, 
finding some success, but still being seen somewhat as 
outsiders, drawing predictable curiosity and criticism. 
 
 
------------------------------------ 
¶3. China/Samoa Diplomatic Relations: 
------------------------------------ 
 
GoS established diplomatic relations with PRC in November, 1975. 
 The People's Republic of China (PRC) Embassy in Samoa was set 
up in 1976. (The U.S. expanded our consulate to an Embassy in 
1989; it is currently still a single officer post with limited 
services). Samoa established their own embassy in Beijing in 
2009; one of 6 Samoan embassies in the world (note:  there is no 
embassy to the U.S. alone, however there is a mission in New 
York for the United Nations that also interacts with Washington 
and Ottawa). The embassy in China was an outcome of Samoa PM 
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi's state visit to meet Premier Wen 
Jiabao in September 2008. The Chinese embassy in Apia, a 
compound of several buildings, has a Chinese staff of several 
officers; the Samoan Ambassador to PRC, Tapusalaia Terry Toomata 
(former Deputy Permanent Secretary of Samoa's Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade) is representative of the importance 
Samoa places on that mission. 
 
PRC relations to Samoa and the Pacific have been cemented 
through its economic and infrastructural aid to the Pacific. 
Following Premier Jiabao's 2006 visit to the Pacific, the PRC 
announced an intention to increase economic cooperation with 
Pacific island states-more economic aid, abolish tariffs from 
PIC LCD, cancel outstanding debt, distribute free anti-malaria 
medicine, provide training for over 2000 government and 
technical staff (completed within one year). China increased aid 
to the Pacific from USD $33 million 2005 to USD $293 million in 
¶2007. 
 
 
-------------------------------- 
¶4. China Supports Samoa Through: 
------------------------------ 
 
BUILDINGS: The following buildings have been gifts. In most 
cases the design, construction workers and often materials have 
been Chinese: 
 
1994- Government Building (5 story office of Prime Minister, 
Foreign Affairs and Cabinet) 
 
1995-Ministry of Women (Mother's Center), Sogi Hall (new 
renovations underway to be completed in 2010) 
 
2007- Apia Sports Complex renovation- USD $3.5 million and 
related Aquatic Center USD $7.3 million (anchor building of 
athletic complex completed so Samoa could host 2007 South 
Pacific Games). 
 
2008- Parliamentary Office Complex (multistory office building 
next to Parliament to provide office space for all members) USD 
$17 million. 
 
2010- Ministry of Justice and courts complex- USD $6 million 
(opened January 26, 2010) 
 
2012- Government Office Complex and Conference Center- USD $44 
million (concessional loan currently under way). 
 
Schools buildings- since 2000 China has built three public 
schools at the cost of USD $1 million each. 
 
LOANS:  In 2008- Samoa pushed through the Export Import Bank of 
China Act to allow borrowing of concessional loans (comment: 
with some consternation on the part of observers and the Samoan 
opposition who charge not all loans are made public). 
 
2009 (signed in 2010 Jan) concessional loan of USD $6 million to 
be used for budget support, including education. 
 
2010 concessional loan of USD $30.7 million the Samoa Ministry 
of Health Project (2010-2011--Ministry of Health complex and 
Phase I of a teaching hospital). 
 
OTHER PROJECTS:  For the National Hospital, in 2007- CTC X-ray 
scanner provided and several volunteer doctors; 2009- Swine flu 
protective gear was provided.  (Note:  In 1918 over 80% of the 
Samoan population was infected by Spanish Flu; over 23% died. 
When H1N1 threatened, GoS took it seriously.  They asked for 
help, including from the U.S.  We provided nothing, not even a 
response.  China provided assistance).  World Expo (Shanghai) 
2010:  China has spent USD $11 million on the Pacific pavilion 
with USD $650,000 going towards Samoa's preparations, an event 
that is expected to be attended by a large number of GoS 
officials and staff.  Journalist Tour:  In 2008 China sponsored 
a journalist tour of several cities throughout China for 
journalists from Samoa.  They were also present for the meeting 
of Samoan and Chinese dignitaries, and the trade expo.  Others 
were part of another tour to cover the Olympics. 
 
Technical Assistance and Training:  There are currently 53 
Samoan students in China undertaking graduate and post graduate 
studies under Chinese Scholarships. Samoans are eligible to 
apply through the regional China-Pacific Islands Forum 
Scholarship Scheme whereby Samoan students won five of the nine 
scholarships in 2009. China also provided at least 25 
scholarships annually for Samoan students as part of its 
China-Samoa Scholarship Scheme.   China supports a Technical 
Cooperation Training Program  (similar to Department's 
International Visitors program) that sends at least 15 
candidates yearly on short term 4 month placements and training 
in China. A seven member team of Chinese doctors are working 
within the National Health Service-their contract is expected to 
end soon and a new team will come for 2010. In 2007, 22 Chinese 
coaches were sent to train Samoa's team in for South Pacific 
Games. 
 
Disaster Relief Assistance:  In response to the Sept. 29, 2009 
earthquake and tsunami, China provided USD $100,000 for GoS 
relief efforts. In 2004, after Cyclone Heta China also donated 
USD $100,000 as a relief grant to Samoa.  Last year Samoa 
reciprocated by sending a disaster donation to China after the 
devastating earthquake there. 
 
Other supports include business and trade agreements, tourism 
support, projects for schools (buildings and equipment), and 
vehicles, including in 2004 a fleet of 20 limos worth USD $1.25 
million for the Pacific Forum leader's meeting.  China hosted a 
delegation including, among others, the Head of State for the 
2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Chinese government presented an 
assistance of USD $100,000 to Samoan government for expenses of 
the later Head of State's state funeral in 2007. 
 
 
----------------------- 
¶5. Playing the PD Game: 
----------------------- 
 
From formal ceremonies, high level visitors, speeches and 
events, the Chinese make sure they get media attention for their 
efforts, which is only fair.  The journalist tour was an example 
of these efforts.  In addition, their "soft power" approach is 
expanding.  Whereas before they made quiet arrangements with the 
government for a building or project, today the Ambassador is 
frequently shown in the newspaper, surrounded by students, 
handing a computer or copier over to a school.  In the 
misinformation category, they may also be active.  There are 
occasional anti-American anonymous letters to the editor that 
have an amazingly consistent style-as if the same writer or 
writers were following a plan. 
 
 
------------- 
¶6. Face Time: 
------------- 
 
In September 2008 PM Tuilaepa met Premier Jiabao in Beijing-a 
meeting that included Samoa's Deputy PM and 5 associate 
ministers. In past 2 years two delegations of high level 
representatives of China's central government have been here to 
celebrate the opening of new buildings, and to sign agreements 
for new projects. 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
¶7. But, deep down, they really like US better-right? 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
(Comment) Deep thinkers may like to dwell on the philosophical 
underpinnings shared between the United States and 
Samoa-democratic principles, Christian beliefs, etc. but how 
many deep thinkers are there--really?  Old timers remain 
grateful that the U.S. helped Samoa during the Second World War, 
and even after the cyclones of the early 90's.  But people who 
remember those events are no longer on the ascendancy; they are 
on the decline. Today, people tend to question the motivation 
behind China's gifts. Tomorrow, they'll probably only remember 
the gifts.  Anyone who asked an average Samoan in this century 
"who helps Samoa?" will get the answer, "New Zealand, Australia 
and China"~ and not necessarily in that order.  If actions speak 
louder than words, than our actions, louder than our statements 
of support, are saying, "the Pacific and Samoa in particular, 
are not really important to the United States." As the U.S. 
representative on the ground in Samoa, I can't help but draw 
comparisons, especially as those around me do so every day. 
 
 
YEAGER