A veteran journalist of Samoa says the overhaul of the Apia waterfront is opening up the opportunity for competition between different aid donors to the country.
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, who is also a Radio New Zealand correspondent said, "This would be a good opportunity for New Zealand to show what New Zealand can do to beautify our town, especially on the waterfront.”
“This would be a good opportunity for China to show the tourists coming to Samoa this is what they can do to beautify our waterfront," said Autagavaia.
China’s investment includes a Friendship Park that is backed by the Guangdong provincial.
The park will have a sports field, outdoor performance space and arts and cultural centre.
A signing ceremony for the Chinese-funded project was held last week.
Last week, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for a new $US4 million event space and boulevard near the Samoa Government building.
It's the first of three phases of New Zealand's contribution to the beautification of Apia's waterfront.
New Zealand's outgoing High Commissioner to Samoa, David Nicholson, said New Zealand is a minor infrastructure player in Samoa compared to China.
"But we do have the added advantage that our funding is unencumbered. In other words we do grant funding and we work through Samoan systems to do that. So our investments, we are not only developing infrastructure but we are developing the capability of the Samoan systems."
Mr Nicholson said New Zealand was focused on promoting tourism rather than other infrastructure.