SUVA — Samoa and Fiji are willing to learn from China’s development experience and expand ties with China in all fields, senior Samoan and Fijian officials have told a high-level Chinese delegation.

Led by Qi Xuchun, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the delegation, invited by Samoa’s Legislative Assembly and Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paid a goodwill visit to Samoa and Fiji successively from August 15 — 22, meeting Samoan Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Samoan Parliament Speaker Laauli Leuatea Schmidt, Fijian Parliament Speaker Jiko Luveni, Fijian members of parliament, as well as other officials.

Qi made in-depth communication with the Samoan and Fijian officials on bilateral ties, pragmatic cooperation and issues of common interest, taking the opportunities to introduce the status of China’s reform and opening, the “new normal” of China’s economic development, as well as the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the socialist consultative democracy.

The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference is willing to further interactions with relevant authorities of the two Pacific island countries, enhance communications on governing experience, deepen pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, as well as make contributions to promoting bilateral ties, Qi said.

Speaking highly of the bilateral ties, the senior Samoan and Fijian officials commended the achievements of China’s socio- economic development, highly praised the key role China plays in international and regional affairs, expressed their gratitude and appreciation towards China’s sincere assistance to the two countries.

Samoa and Fiji are willing to enhance friendly interactions with the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, learn from China’s development experience, expand communications and cooperation in all fields, promote and deepen ties with China, said the officials.

While in Fiji, Qi also met representatives of the overseas Chinese community in the island country, and held a meeting with leaders of Chinese companies there.