The Chinese government’s continuing warm relationship with neighboring Samoa, has led to concerns from Sen. Tuiagamoa Tavai, who has called on Congresswoman Aumua Amata to ensure the White House and the federal government are aware of this matter.

When Amata was on island late last month, she met jointly with both the Senate and House for a briefing on several issues that she was working on in Washington D.C. for American Samoa, including infrastructure funding development for the territories that Congress was dealing with, and Tuiagamoa shared with the congresswoman his concern.

He claimed he had already discussed the issue with other fellow senators, and he wondered if the federal government is aware of the close warm relationship between Samoa and China right now, pointing to Samoa being a close neighbor of American Samoa.

The senator said there are times in which the relationship between United States and Samoa is not good and therefore there is a concern with the safety of American Samoa.

Tuiagamoa claims that if China wanted to attack America Samoa, the territory is not prepared because American Samoa does not have an army of troops to defend its self.

 He asked Amata to “warn” US President Donald Trump to pay close attention to the relationship between China and Samoa, so that the US is aware and the US doesn’t forget American Samoa.

The senator said that’s why it’s important that improvements are made to American Samoa’s infrastructure such as airport and harbor — so that American Samoa is well prepared. American Samoa’s “safety” is important, he stated.

While the Congresswoman didn’t make a verbal reply, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie, a US military retiree, interjected after Tuiagamoa’s comments, saying, “Our status quo has not changed. We are still under the umbrella of the United States.”

The Chinese government’s presence in Samoa and other Pacific island countries has increased over the years and Pacific academics speak about the millions of dollars in Chinese aid and loans to the Pacific islands.

Last month there were reports of a Chinese company wanting to set up a fish production company in Samoa, and last year the prime minister was asked about Samoa selling fishing licenses to Chinese-owned fisheries.

Radio New Zealand International reported late last month on a new report, which found aid and investment from China runs the risk of destabilizing Pacific island nations. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute report argued the lack of political strings attached to aid from China may fuel corruption and violence. The report also questioned the sustainability of soft loans from China to some of the countries in the region.

It said Australia could not afford to be complacent about the shifting geopolitical environment in the region.

The Samoa Observer reported on Monday, May 1 (Samoa Time) that “loans based on bilateral agreements with foreign governments amounted to $481.2 million,” according to the Samoa Government Financial Report. The report did not itemize how much is owed to which countries, but noted a decrease of loans from Dec. 2015  “owed to the Chinese government by $32.7 million.”