Oct. 15, 2008

China and the Independent State of Samoa signed a tourism memorandum, under which Samoa gained Approved Destination Status from China. The ADS signing took place in the wings of the Trade Investment and Tourism Conference in Xiamen China. Delegates dicussed the need for a long-term approach to the Chinese tourism market to develop high-yielding and sustainable visitor flows to the South Pacific.

The two governments will discuss issues such as visas and travel agency services before Chinese citizens can visit the Pacific nation. No timetable was given.