Apia and Shenzhen linked in sister city deal

Samoa has signed its first sister city arrangement linking the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen with Samoa's capital Apia.

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, says he hopes his country's businesses and trade will benefit from the agreement.

He has told a visiting Chinese delegation it will be important to start the agreement with airlines in Shenzhen in order to bring Chinese tourists to Samoa.

The deal is aimed at boosting cultural, tourism, trade and investment links between Shenzhen and Apia.