Hon. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi,
Cabinet Ministers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, on behalf of the Chinese Government, I am delighted to hand over the 87 vehicles, sports equipment and materials for firework display donated by the Chinese Government to the Samoan Government for the 2019 Pacific Games.
In the upcoming Pacific Games to be held in July, these vehicles will be designated vehicles for athletes, referees and dignitaries, the sports equipment will be the designated competition equipment for different events, and firework shows will be set up at the opening and closing ceremonies. In a sense, all the materials handed over today are to help the Samoan Government ensure a smooth and successful Pacific Games.
Apart from these materials, more than 200 Samoan athletes and 30 chefs are now in China for training. 10 Chinese dance teachers are in Samoa training performers to get ready for the mass games to be shown in the opening and closing ceremonies. Over 200 Chinese and Samoan engineers and workers have been working day and night, shoulder to shoulder, for the timely completion of construction and renovation of sports facilities where the Games will be held.
Last year, Hon. Prime Minister Tuilaepa met with Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping twice, once in Beijing and the other in PNG. The two leaders agreed to lift China-Samoa relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of mutual respect and common development, ushering a new chapter in bilateral ties.
The Chinese people believe that, "A friend in need is a friend in indeed." Samoa is China's good friend and reliable partner in the Pacific. So when the Samoan government asked China for help, the Chinese side attached great importance to it and made it one of our top priorities to provide assistance and support to the Samoan side within the best of our ability. Thanks to the joint efforts and close coordination of our two sides, all the Pacific Games-related assistance projects and materials have been progressing in the fastest and most efficient manner. In addition, China will also send several groups of technicians and experts to provide technical support for the firework display and mass games during the opening and closing ceremonies.
Today, I am happy to officially hand over the assistance materials to the Samoan side, which is an embodiment of the profound friendship between the two governments and peoples. In conclusion, I wish the 2019 Pacific Games every success!
Thank you!