Samoan PM concludes China visit

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, prime minister of the Independent State of Samoa, left east China¡¯s Shanghai Sunday afternoon, wrapping up his one-week official visit to China as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

During his stay in Shanghai, Tuilaepa visited the Pudong New District and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. He hopeshis country can learn China's successful experience in modernization construction through his current visit.

The prime minister appreciated Shanghai's economic progress as well as the city's environmental protection.

Tuilaepa started his China tour last Sunday, which also took him to Beijing and Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

During his stay in Beijing, Tuilaepa met with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen. The two governments signed cooperation accords and issued a joint statement after the talks between the two premiers.

Tuilaepa reiterated his country's adherence to the one-China policy, adding that Samoa recognized China's full market economy status.

Tuilaepa's visit came on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Samoa.

It is Tuilaepa's second visit to China since he assumed office in 1998. He paid his first official visit to China in August 2000.

Source: Xinhua