RAROTONGA, Cook Islands - China has brought a unique flexibility is its assistance to developing Pacific island states that has helped immensely, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said Wednesday.

"The uniqueness of the Chinese assistance is its flexibility and very quick response by the authorities in China," Malielegoai told Xinhua in an exclusive interview before the 43rd Pacific Island Forum (PIF) leaders' plenary meeting in Rarotonga.

"The other thing which I'm always impressed by is that when we come to China there's always that readiness among the leaders to meet with us and to listen. You have to find that in many, many, many big countries -- they're always busy and the leaders are not able to meet with us," he added.

Malielegaoi said the PIF leaders were looking forward to hearing what US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would say when she arrives in the Cook Islands on Thursday.

"It will be an opportunity for America to hear directly from the leaders of the Forum," he said.

"You must remember that the United States has been a post-forum dialogue partner for a long time and so far, to my recollection, this is the first time that a person of sufficiently senior status has decided to come and we will certainly look forward to an early exchange with her to learn the kind of message she's going to bring."

The theme of this year's PIF meeting -- "Large Ocean Island States -- the Pacific Challenge" -- had highlighted the issue of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundaries between states, said Malielegaoi.

"It's unavoidable for smaller island countries to look at the ocean surrounding them as their continual source of food supply and, of course, with the existence of the minerals underneath the ocean, there is greater potential for the future," he said.

"Hence the idea grows that not only the Pacific Island countries focus on problems they are facing and change, but they should also look to exploit the marine resources for the benefit of their people."

Discussions with the United States regarding the EEZ boundaries with neighboring American Samoa had proved "a very difficult process," he said.

"It is not easy. We have begun the process with America vis a vis American Samoa next door. It only took a couple of days and talks broke off and so it is at that stage right now."