Citizens of China and Samoa can now travel between the two countries visa-free for up to 30 days.
The new arrangement follows the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement, one of the outcomes of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa’s State Visit to China in November 2024. The agreement was signed earlier this year by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, and the Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, Fei Mingxing.
At the 2 April celebration marking the implementation of the agreement, Ambassador Fei said it reflects the deep trust between the two nations and is part of a broader strategic partnership focused on mutual respect and development.
He noted that Chinese settlement in Samoa began around 150 years ago, with some early Chinese laborers choosing to remain in Samoa and raise families. Today, over 20% of Samoa’s population can trace their ancestry to China.
According to Samoan data, Chinese nationals make up only around 2% of foreign tourists to Samoa, while trade with China accounts for about 11% of Samoa’s total trade volume.
Ambassador Fei described the visa waiver as a step forward in strengthening people-to-people ties and business cooperation. He also said the agreement is a gift to both countries as they celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.
“Let us make good use of this great opportunity for the shared future of our two countries,” he said.
This article was originally published by Savali Newspaper on its FB page and has been republished with permission.
