萨摩亚货币上的“中国造”传递中萨友谊

Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is paying an official visit to China from November 20 to 28. Although Samoa may be unfamiliar to some, this South Pacific island nation, which sits near the International Date Line, is an old friend of China.

11月20日至28日，萨摩亚总理菲娅梅对中国进行正式访问。提到萨摩亚，人们也许有些陌生，不过这个位于国际日期变更线附近的南太平洋岛国是中国的老朋友。

Currency serves as a country's best business card, with each banknote design reflecting its unique history and culture. The depiction of the Chinese-aided government building on Samoa's 50 Tala banknotes exemplifies China's commitment to supporting the socioeconomic development of the country.

货币是一个国家最好的“名片”，每张钞票上的图案都承载了特有的历史与文化。中国援建的政府大楼登上萨摩亚50塔拉钞票，就是展现中国支持这个南太平洋岛国经济社会发展最好的例证。

In the heart of Apia, Samoa's capital, stands the Chinese-aided government building, which was inaugurated in 1993. This office space for the Samoan government has become a popular wedding photo shoot location since it appeared on the new 50 Tala banknote. Despite a magnitude-8 earthquake in 2009, which caused severe damage, the Chinese-aided government building remained steadfast.

在萨摩亚首都阿皮亚的市中心，1993年正式启用的中国援建政府大楼，是萨总理及各部部长的办公重地，在成为新版50塔拉纸币正面主景后，大楼更是成为很多新人拍摄婚纱照的热门地点。2009年，一场8级大地震给萨摩亚很多设施带来严重破坏，而中国援建的政府大楼却安如磐石。

Samoan banknotes are rich in details showcasing the bond between China and Samoa. A close look at the 10 Tala banknote reveals the inscription "2007 Hong Kong International Sevens Rugby Champions," commemorating Samoa's victory in the international rugby tournament held in China's Hong Kong Special Administrate Region (HKSAR) in 2007.

萨摩亚钞票上还有不少关于中萨情谊的细节。仔细观察10塔拉钞票会发现正面印有“2007香港国际七人橄榄球赛冠军”字样，正是纪念萨摩亚队在中国香港2007年举办的国际七人橄榄球赛中一举夺冠，这张新钞从此和中国香港结下不解之缘。

The 100 Tala banknote features Malietoa Tanumafili II, Samoan paramount chief who was O le Ao o le Malo (head of state) of Samoa from its independence in 1962 until his death in 2007. He was deeply impressed by China's diplomatic stance that all countries are equal members of the international community, regardless of whether they are big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, during his visit to China in 1976, a year after Samoa established diplomatic relations with China.

呈现在100塔拉钞票上的“独立英雄”、国家终身元首马列托亚·塔努马菲利，在中萨建交次年的1976年访华时，中国采取“大小国家一律平等”的外交政策给他留下非常深刻的印象。

In 2018, Samoa became the first South Pacific country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road Cooperation with China, aimed at enhancing mutually beneficial partnerships. By switching time zones to return to the Eastern Hemisphere, Samoa has positioned itself as one of the earliest countries to welcome dawn, driven by the goal of actively integrating more into the economically vibrant Asia-Pacific region.

2018年，萨摩亚是南太地区岛国中第一个与中国签署“一带一路”倡议合作谅解备忘录的国家，目的是加强与中国的互利共赢合作，建立起更加紧密的伙伴关系。萨摩亚在告别西半球回归东半球后，成为地球上最早迎接黎明的国家之一，而更改时区的主要动力和目标就是要更加积极地融入经贸合作更为密切的亚太地区。