Hey there! 👋 Did you know that money can tell amazing stories? In the beautiful island nation of Samoa, their banknotes (that’s the fancy word for paper money 💵) show the special friendship they have with China! Let’s dive into these cool stories together.
The Building That Stood Strong 🏛️
On Samoa’s 50 Tala banknote, there’s a picture of a grand government building. Guess what? This building was a gift from China! 🎁 Built in 1993 in Samoa’s capital, Apia, it’s not just an office—it’s also a popular place for wedding photos! 💒 Even after a huge earthquake in 2009, the building stood tall and strong, showing the strength of their friendship.
Winning Together in Sports 🏉
Flip over to the 10 Tala banknote, and you’ll see words celebrating Samoa’s big win at the 2007 Hong Kong International Sevens Rugby Tournament. That’s a super exciting rugby competition held in Hong Kong, a special part of China! 🏆 This shows how both countries cheer each other on, especially in sports.
A Chief Who Believed in Equality 🤝
The 100 Tala note features Malietoa Tanumafili II, a very important Samoan chief who was the head of state for 45 years! 👑 After visiting China in 1976, he was amazed by China’s belief that all countries are equal, no matter how big or small. This visit happened just a year after Samoa and China became official friends (that’s called diplomatic relations 🌐).
A Friendship Through Time 🕰️
The connection between Samoa and China isn’t new. Over 100 years ago, Chinese workers came to Samoa and became part of its history. Today, many Samoan leaders have visited China multiple times! The former Prime Minister visited nine times, and the current Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has visited five times. Talk about BFFs! 💖
Building and Growing Together 🏗️🌱
China has helped Samoa build important places like airports 🛫, parks 🌳, and sports centers 🏟️. They even helped upgrade the Faleolo International Airport, making it super modern and cool! China also shares knowledge in healthcare and education, helping train over 2,300 Samoan people. That’s like filling a whole school with students eager to learn! 🎓
Farming Friends 🚜
Thanks to China’s help, Samoa now grows its own watermelons! 🍉 They set up a special farm called the China-Samoa demonstration farm. Plus, they’ve introduced Juncao technology (that’s a way to grow mushrooms using special grass 🌾). This means more food and better lives for farmers and their families.
Looking Forward to a Bright Future 🌅
In 2018, Samoa and China agreed to work even closer together through something called the Belt and Road Cooperation. It’s like planning a big adventure with your friend to explore new opportunities! 🚀 Also, did you know Samoa changed its time zone so it’s one of the first places to see the sunrise? 🌄 They did this to feel closer to countries like China in the Asia-Pacific region.
So next time you see a Samoan Tala, remember the amazing stories it tells about friendship, teamwork, and a shared future between Samoa and China! 💕
Reference(s):
How has China-Samoa friendship featured on Samoan banknotes?
cgtn.com
