125 years ago today, on January 16, 1900 (the 16th lunar month), the United Kingdom relinquished its sovereignty over Samoa.

Samoa Islands, located in the middle of Polynesian Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, have always been known as the "heart of Polynesia". It has 12 islands, large and small, with a total area of 3,144 square kilometers.

German merchants entered Samoa in 1856. Later, a German colonial plan was formulated. The plan caused conflicts of interest between Germany and the United States and Britain. In 1889, the three countries signed the Treaty of Berlin, which provided for the establishment of a neutral kingdom in Samoa. In 1899, Britain, the United States, and Germany signed another new treaty. In exchange for other colonies with Germany, Britain gave up its sovereignty over Samoa on January 16, 1900, transferred Western Samoa under British rule to Germany, and Eastern Samoa was under American rule.