Samoan MP hits out at growing Chinese influence

Samoan MP speaks his mind over growing Chinese influence in the Pacific
APIA, Jan 20 (AFP) - A Samoan politician has been accused of racism by China after claiming there were too many Chinese in the country and they were buying upland and businesses which need to remain in the hands of local people. MP Aeau Peniamina said Thursday he was not referring to descendants of Chinese who married Samoans early last century, they are not Chinese. They are all Samoans, he said. But he was adamant about his reference to new Chinese, with no blood ties to Samoa.The question is how did they get here? said Aeau,  of the opposition Samoa Democratic United Party. I worry about the future of the country. Samoa is too small for Chinese.Aeau specifically singled out Chinese businessman Frankie Cai who owns several supermarkets and recently made headline news by buying the landmark Molesi Samoa supermarket. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said Aeau  hhad strong views and said something like was expected to happen in parliament in the course of time .He also noted that Cai is Chinese-Samoan and not acting in Samoan's interests but China's.Tourism Minister JoeKeil, who is part Chinese, said Cai had been a resident of Samoa for only15 years, a citizen of 10 years, and was once married to a Samoan woman. Another part-Chinese government MP, Tuiloma PuleLameko,described Aeaus remarks as most inappropriate although most parliamentarians appeared to agree with him. 2103 JAN05