Chinese nationals

According to TV1 Samoa, a senior officer from the Chinese Embassy says they do not want any more Chinese being convicted in Samoan courts for criminal activity.

The embassy official says from China's point of view they respect and honour Samoan culture and laws, and want all Chinese living in the country to do the same.

Last week a Chinese businessman, Chen Pao, was fined by the courts for running illegal fish processing operations in the back rooms of two of his restaurants in Samoa's capital.

The six Chinese travellers were returned to Nadi from Samoa aboard a Fiji Airways flight for not meeting the self-quarantine requirements at Apia Airport.

Health official Sunil Chandra said the group tested negative for coronavirus and posed no threat to the public.

However, Mr Chandra could not confirm whether the group had been sent home or allowed to remain in Fiji due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese government at its borders.

Samoa's new emergency measures require travellers to undergo medical clearance at least three days before heading to the island.

The entire group of six Chinese nationals were reportedly refused entry into Samoa upon arrival on flight FJ 255 Nadi-Apia earlier in the day due to travel restrictions implemented by Samoa last week related to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

The group had transited through Nadi enroute to Apia on the same day via Hong Kong on flight FJ392.

It is not clear if the reportedly ill passengers was medically assessed or noted to be ill while being refused entry in Samoa.

The two accused appeared before Chief Justice Patu Tiavaasu’e Falefatu Sapolu this morning.

Defense lawyer Alex Su’a sought bail for his clients claiming they are not in a safe state.

“Your honour my clients wonder if an application for bail at this time is suitable. They have been experiencing cases of insomnia. They are not eating the food being served at the compound at the moment and they haven’t had any contact with their families since their arrest,” Su’a said.