China and Samoa signed up to seven new agreements before the China-Pacific Island Economic Cooperation Special Summit in Apia, Samoa.
Beijing is expected to use the China Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum to promote its trillion-dollar “Belt and Road” initiative, a large-scale infrastructure construction project that provides affordable loans to developing countries.
One of the most senior government officials in China, Hu Chunhua, Vice Premier of the State Council, led the delegation to Apia. The meeting was only one month after the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the Solomon Islands and Kiribati and Beijing.
After Hu and Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele held a bilateral meeting on Saturday, they signed a new agreement between China and Saskatchewan.