Macmillan Brown Centre for
Pacific Studies
Ashalyna Noa-Siaosi
Themes
• Political History of the Chinese in Samoa
• Impact on the Samoan Economy
• Influence on Samoan Identity
• The ‘New Wave’ of Chinese influence:
Development Aid
Migration from China
Western Samoa
Political History
• 1880: Malietoa
Laupepa
•1903: Governor
Wilhelm Solf
•German
Administration:
Economic approach
•NZ Administration:
Social approach
Chinese indentured labourers cutting copra. (Alexander
Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand).
Impact on Samoan Economy
•Chinese had significant
role in this sector
•Indentured Labour
Scheme 1903-1934
Ah Fook (Cheung
Fook). (Selma Scott).
•Entrepreneurship:
developed
intergenerationally &
expanded across multiple
industries. e.g. Ah Fook
Family
Maxkar building. (Nicky Pereira).
Impact on Samoan Identity
•Intermarriage: surnames, facial features
•Few Chinese women
•Chinese men assimilated into Samoan
way of life – matai, food, language and
religion
Selma and James Cheung Fook (Ah
Fook). (Selma Scott).
Samoan food with Chinese influence.
(Selma Scott).
‘New Wave’ of Influence
Government building in Samoa funded by
Chinese aid.
Sports complex in Samoa funded by Chinese aid.
•Shift in aid donors from West
to East
•Why pour aid into Samoa?
• Costs: loss of independence,
increased gap between rich &
poor, more money going out
than in.
•Chinese aid is a major source
of income, assisted in the
country's infrastructure,
healthcare & education
systems.
Conclusion
GOVT MANIPULATING IMPACT
1. Harsh stance of repatriation
2. Prevent foreign ownership of
land and business
ECONOMIC DRIVE
WINS
1. Dependent on
labourers
2. Dependent on aid
NEW INFLUENCE
1. Chinese Labourers
2. Chinese Aid
UNANTICIPATED
SOCIAL IMPACT
1. Intermarriage, food
& surnames
2. ?