Honorable Minister Stowers,

Chinese Medical Team Leader Dr. Wang Yonggang,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I come to attend the Handover Ceremony of the Anti-COVID-19 Medical Supplies donated by the Chinese government to Samoa. First of all, please allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate the Government of Samoa on the effective responses to COVID-19. Thanks to your consistent efforts, Samoa remains one of few countries in the world being COVID-free until now.

The cooperation in the medical field between China and Samoa has a long history and has achieved fruitful results over the years.In the face of the unprecedented threat posed by the pandemic, China and Samoa have once again stood shoulder to shoulder. In the most tying time of China's struggle against the epidemic months ago, Samoan government and people from all walks of life voiced their firm support for China. We shall not forget, His Highness Head of State and the Honourable Prime Minister specially sent letters to President Xi Jinping, offering condolences and support on behalf of the Samoan government and people. We shall not forget, representatives of Samoan students in China delivered the healing song"Let the world filled with love" to Chinese people with beautiful piano accompaniment by Ambassador of Samoa to China. We shall not forget, the medical staff of the TTM Hospital and the students of the Confucius Institute at NUS recorded videos, chanting "Cheer up" in mandarin to root for China.

"A drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring." This Chinese proverb's message is to repay kindness tenfold.  We cherish the friendship with Samoa across the Pacific Ocean. Although there has been no confirmed case in Samoa yet, sharing the concerns of the Samoan government and people, we have exerted every effort to assist Samoa to build a solid line of defense against coronavirus threat .

First, information sharing. Guidelines on COVID-19 prevention and control were provided to MOH and TTM hospital in the first place. On March 10, China, Samoa other Pacific Island Countries held a video conference on the containment of the pandemic. Chinese Medical Team members, who have extended their serving terms voluntarily, published COVID-19 fact sheets on the newspaper and held two workshops in TTM hospital on the epidemic. Second, experience exchange. On May 13, 2020, China and Pacific Island Countries held a special meeting on COVID-19 via video link, appreciating each other's solid support. China reasserted that it would continue to help the Pacific Island Countries to the best of its ability. Third, financial support and medical supplies donation.Chinese government has urgently launched a China-Pacific Island Countries Anti-epidemic Cooperation Fund, under which USD250,000 was provided to Samoa to fund its response to coronavirus. Emergency assistance including N95 respirators, disposable surgical masks, fluid-resistant isolation gowns from the Chinese government were delivered. Many local governments, businesses, non-governmental institutions and individuals in China, among which are Guangdong Provincial Government, Huizhou Municipal Government, Shanghai Construction Group and Jack Ma Foundation, have also taken action and donated supplies such as testing kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment. The Embassy will continue to work closely with Samoan side to overcome the challenges of shipping caused by flight suspension and expedite the delivery.

Just as Samoan saying "Uo i aso uma /ae uso i aso vale" goes, adversity is the touchstone of friendship. Best friends make the good times better and the hard times easier. Hand in hand, China and Samoa will emerge from the test of the COVID-19 epidemic stronger mutual trust, closer cooperation and deeper friendship.

Thank you!