Samoa reaffirms one-China policy

The Samoan government reiterated in Beijing Monday that it will adhere to the one-China policy. It said the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

In a joint statement issued after the talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Samoan counterpart Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Samoa said it opposes any attempt to create "two Chinas" or "One China, one Taiwan" or "Taiwan Independence" as well as Taiwan's accession into any international or regional organization which only sovereign states can join.

Samoa committed to refrain from developing official relations or establishing official contacts with Taiwan, the statement said.

Samoa "supported all the efforts China exerted for safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the prerogative of the Government of China to make the Anti-Secession Law adopted by the Third Session of the Tenth National People's Congress of China and expressed its hope for the early reunification of China," it said.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Samoa. According to the joint statement, both China and Samoa are satisfied with the steady development of the bilateral relations for the past 30 years and are willing to maintain high-level contacts as well as expand governmental, inter-parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in all fields and at all levels.

Samoa recognized China's full market economy status. The two governments call for further tapping their complementary advantages and expanding economic cooperation and trade, it said.

"The two governments are ready to adopt more proactive measures to further increase bilateral exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism, health, human resources development and other fields," it said.

Tuilaepa arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon as guest of Premier Wen for a week-long official visit, the second since 1998.He paid his first official visit to China in August 2000.

The Independent State of Samoa is an island country in the west of the Samoan island group of the southern Pacific Ocean.