China's foreign minister has signed a deal with Samoa to strengthen diplomatic relations.
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China is building on a security pact it recently signed with Solomon Islands, which has alarmed the US and its allies such as Australia as they fear a stepped-up military presence by Beijing.
China's Wang Yi, on a tour of the Pacific seeking a 10-nation deal on security and trade, on Saturday finished a visit to Samoa, where he met Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and signed documents including an "economic and technical cooperation agreement", Samoa said in a statement.
"Samoa and the People's Republic of China will continue to pursue greater collaboration that will deliver on joint interests and commitments," it said.
Mr Wang is headed to Fiji, where he is expected to push for a regional deal in a meeting he is to host on Monday.
Australian Associated Press
