Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi vehemently denies that the Samoa Government’s developments and assets are being sold to China.

In a statement issued through his press secretariat office and received by Samoa News, Tuilaepa wrote, “Despite the Government's recent attempts to clarify and correct the misinformation being freely and willfully propagated by (Samoa) local media organizations, it is disappointing to note that some Parliamentarians are encouraging bigotry with statements that are intended to incite racial derision amongst the people of Samoa.” 

This came in response to claims by the media and Samoa’s Opposition leaders that Samoa is being sold to China by Samoa’s current government leaders.

Last month the Samoa Observer reported a claim that the airport had been sold to China.

The statement says if this type of ignorance should dictate the Government's agenda, the results would undo the progress and development the country has enjoyed thus far. 

“The results of that kind of restrictive and intolerant policy would mean No Development, No New Job Opportunities, No Modernization, No Advancement and No Bright Futures for generations to come” Tuilaepa wrote.

The statement went on to say that all countries in the world, rich and poor, prioritize foreign investments to encourage economic growth and create employment opportunities for their people. Samoa is successful in attracting foreign investments through grants, concessional loans and specific project investments from development partners.

“Those are the results of an effective and progressive Government, working to attract investors like Yazaki to provide employment and up-skilling opportunities for our people.

“The absurd claim that the Government is selling the country to a development partner is false, irresponsible and damaging.”

Furthermore the statement says that thousands of Samoans emigrate yearly with heavy hearts for the more developed shores of New Zealand and Australia where they have better opportunities and brighter prospects for their children. “Should Government provide these opportunities locally, we can retain more of our talented people to develop our country. Leaders of Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau and other countries in the Pacific similarly lament the departure of their people to seek job opportunities overseas, when they could be contributing to a brighter future for their own homeland.

“If Samoa does not continue to develop, then the question must be asked — Why did we ever opt for Independence?” the Prime Minister’s said.

The statement goes on to say that Samoa is a steady beacon in the Pacific's story of development. “We are a nation that, as a test case for the United Nations before they would permit all other Trust Territories to follow suit, led the movement for self-determination and Independence.”

The early leaders proved that Samoans were capable of running their own affairs in a complex new world of economic growth and opportunity. They had the fearless resolve to set Samoa on a path of development and modernization, from which every Samoan is entitled to benefit. “The Government does not intend to sit idly, while other Pacific countries move forward and leave Samoa behind. The discriminatory fear-mongering perpetuated by local newspapers and political exploitation of a tragic massacre in Europe by misguided Parliamentarians, only shows the abuse of our God-given rights to freedom of expression and a desperation for the media spotlight.”

The statement says that despite the media misinformation and political campaign of intolerance, the Government will continue to work tirelessly towards a brighter future for all Samoans through smarter investment opportunities, dynamic initiatives and progressive policies for development.