Samoa Signs China Bilateral Agreement

 

Reuters: China signs deal with Samoa as Australia vows Pacific Islands plan 

SYDNEY — China’s foreign minister signed a deal with Samoa on Saturday to strengthen diplomatic relations, while Australia’s new leader said he had a “comprehensive plan” for the Pacific, as Beijing and Canberra continued rival campaigns to woo the region.

China is building on a security pact it recently signed with Solomon Islands, which has alarmed the United States and its allies such as Australia as they fear a stepped-up military presence by Beijing. 

Australia’s new center-left government has made the Pacific Islands an early diplomatic priority.  

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Samoa Signs China Bilateral Agreement  

Samoa signs China bilateral agreement during Pacific push by Beijing -- The Guardian  

Samoa signs China agreement amid South Pacific push -- AFP 

Samoa signs deal with China with talks underway for a police training centre -- SBS  

China’s Pacific plan seen as regional strategic game-changer -- AP  

A pivotal moment: Pacific faces a choice over China that will shape it for decades -- The Guardian

Samoa’s Newly Elected Leader Locked Out Of Parliament

 

ABC News (Australia): Samoa faces political crisis as Prime Minister-elect blocked from Parliament, caretaker PM accused of holding onto power 

 Samoa has been plunged into fresh political turmoil, with two rival political leaders claiming they are prime minister of the Pacific nation. 

It comes after the majority FAST party, that was expected to form a new government for the first time in almost four decades on Monday, was blocked from entering Parliament this morning to begin the swearing-in process. 

Party members decided to instead conduct their own ceremony in a large tent outside the Parliament, with leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa declaring herself as Samoa's first female prime minister.  

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WNU Editor: If this new leader is able to assert control, China is going to be a big loser .... Samoa to scrap China-backed port project under new leader (Reuters). 

More News On The Political Crisis In Samoa  

Samoa's first female PM locked out of parliament by losing opponent -- BBC 

Samoa in crisis as elected leader locked out of Parliament -- AP 

Samoa: New PM locked out of parliament by predecessor -- DW  

Pacific island swears in its first female PM in a tent after she is locked out of Parliament -- CNN  

Samoa's first woman prime minister is sworn into office in a TENT after being locked out of parliament by island's long-serving ruler who refuses to give up power -- Daily Mail  

Samoa Elected Its First Female Leader. Parliament Locked Her Out -- NPR  

Samoa: Fiame Naomi Mata'afa takes oath inside a tent after being locked out of parliament by opponent -- SKY News