“Kneel and behold your new king,
Digital dreams and wonderful things to tease you
Small gods with electrical hearts and it all will end
Time to be killing the dragon again”
- Dio Killing the Dragon
Small gods with electrical hearts and it all will end
Time to be killing the dragon again”
- Dio Killing the Dragon
“And I found myself in a better time
a rose and a velvet glove
seven seas of mystery
gifts of gold 'n' love”
- LA Guns Chasing the Dragon
“China’s investment in Samoa as of June this year has climbed to more than $600 million tala.”
“The trade between our two countries has grown steadily, increasing 89% last year to the new high of $170 million tala.”
“China’s aid is sincere, pragmatic, given with no political strings attached, is nonreciprocal and given on the basis of equality…China understands the needs and aspirations of other developing countries…”
“… the Chinese government has extended the zero-tariff policy to Samoa...”
“China pledged US $2 billion of concessional loans for Pacific Island Countries...
On disaster relief…and other odd bits...
· 2004 after Cyclone Heta USD $100,000
· 2004 a fleet of 20 limos worth USD $1.25 million for the Pacific Forum leader's meeting.
· 2007 assistance of USD $100,000 to Samoan government for Head of State's state funeral.
· 2009 earthquake and tsunami, USD $100,000
· 2014 ST $15M in equipment and vehicles to host the Small Island Developing States conference.
https://cablegatesearch.wikileaks.org/cable.php?id=10APIA2
http://www.leamplus.eu/files/LEAM_Discussion_Paper_1.pdf
http://www.savalinews.com/2013/10/09/china-commits-more-aid-to-samoa/
http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/samoa/1662/new-hospital-opens-in-samoa/
a rose and a velvet glove
seven seas of mystery
gifts of gold 'n' love”
- LA Guns Chasing the Dragon
China increased aid to the Pacific from USD $33 million 2005 to $293 million in 2007.
By 2009, it had exceeded an estimated USD $1.9bn for the decade.
(n.b. China's aid figures are not published by the PRC- and there is a grey area between grants and concessional loans.)
“China’s investment in Samoa as of June this year has climbed to more than $600 million tala.”
“The trade between our two countries has grown steadily, increasing 89% last year to the new high of $170 million tala.”
- Savali News Oct 09 2013
“China’s aid is sincere, pragmatic, given with no political strings attached, is nonreciprocal and given on the basis of equality…China understands the needs and aspirations of other developing countries…”
- Ambassador Li Yanduan (Samoa) 5th Jan 2014
“… the Chinese government has extended the zero-tariff policy to Samoa...”
“China pledged US $2 billion of concessional loans for Pacific Island Countries...
the China Development Bank also announced USD $2bn special loans…”
- Ambassador Li Yanduan (Samoa) 17th Feb 2015 2014
- Ambassador Li Yanduan (Samoa) 17th Feb 2015 2014
“We can only hope that China will forgive the loans and they are written off as gifts or grants.”
- Dr Salele, Samoan Opposition Leader, Samoan Observer Jan 31st 2015
“…in 2006 China forgave a $US 11.5 million debt owed by Samoa…”
- LEAM discussion Paper- The People’s Republic of China’s Aid Program in Oceania 2005-2009
Sometimes referred to by Apia locals as the "Chinese monuments"...the following buildings have been either gifted to Samoa or built using a concessional loan- the design, construction contractors and materials have been predominantly Chinese:
· 1994- Government Building (5 story office of Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and Cabinet)
· 1995- Ministry of Women & Sogi Hall
· 2007- Apia Sports Complex renovation & Aquatic Center - USD $10.8 million
(Samoa hosted 2007 South Pacific Games - 22 Chinese coaches were sent to train Samoa's team ).
· 2007- Apia Sports Complex renovation & Aquatic Center - USD $10.8 million
(Samoa hosted 2007 South Pacific Games - 22 Chinese coaches were sent to train Samoa's team ).
· 2008- Parliamentary Office Complex USD $17 million.
· 2010- Ministry of Justice and courts complex- USD $6 million
· 2007-2010 China had built three public schools at the cost of USD $1 million each.
· 2012- Government Office Complex and Conference Center- USD $44 million
· 2010- Ministry of Justice and courts complex- USD $6 million
· 2007-2010 China had built three public schools at the cost of USD $1 million each.
· 2012- Government Office Complex and Conference Center- USD $44 million
On tertiary education…on average 50-60 Samoan students in China undertaking graduate and post graduate studies under Chinese Scholarships...& a further 25 annually as part of its China-Samoa Scholarship Scheme...9 more potential places in the China-Pacific Islands Forum Scholarships....& the the Technical Cooperation Training Program sends at least 15 candidates annually on 4 month placements in China...
On health- the second stage of the new Hospital in Apia (Moto'otua) is expected to be completed in 2015, at a cost of $ST135 million (NZ$73 million) using funds loaned from the Chinese Development Bank...Stage 1 at a cost of ST$70M became operational in 2014...on top of this, has been millions in donated special equipment. NZ also helped fund new medical equipment worth $ST12 million.
Since 1986, China has sent 14 two year term expert medical teams...112 doctors.
Over the next five years, China will provide 5,000 training opportunities for Pacific Islanders.
On disaster relief…and other odd bits...
· 2004 after Cyclone Heta USD $100,000
· 2004 a fleet of 20 limos worth USD $1.25 million for the Pacific Forum leader's meeting.
· 2007 assistance of USD $100,000 to Samoan government for Head of State's state funeral.
· 2009 earthquake and tsunami, USD $100,000
· 2014 ST $15M in equipment and vehicles to host the Small Island Developing States conference.
“ 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, then our actions, louder than our statements of support, are saying, "the Pacific and Samoa in particular, are not really important to the United States."
- above extract from leaked email US Embassy Apia to Washington, Feb 2, 2010https://cablegatesearch.wikileaks.org/cable.php?id=10APIA2
http://www.leamplus.eu/files/LEAM_Discussion_Paper_1.pdf
http://www.savalinews.com/2013/10/09/china-commits-more-aid-to-samoa/
http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/samoa/1662/new-hospital-opens-in-samoa/
http://www.samoaobserver.ws/home/headlines/5712-70m-phase-of-new-hospital-opens
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