People's Republic of China Mark 66th National Anniversary ^Featured

The Guest of Honour were the Crown Prince Tupouto’a and Crown Princess Sinaitakala. Also present was the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni plus Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, guests and the Chinese people in Tonga. Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, Mr Huang Huaguang thanked the Crown Prince and Crown Princess for their presence.

He said their presence showed that they were delighted to be celebrating the National Day. Mr Huaguang said that in the past 66years they have witnessed the vast development in various areas in boosting the Chinese economy and they’re resolute to make China realise its dream of Nation transformation.

“The past 66 years witnessed China’s fast economic development and social progress, witnessed the great improvement of people’s livelihood in China and also witnessed the deep integration of China with the rest of world. After 66 years, Chinese people at home and abroad are now more determined to make every efforts to realize the China dream of national rejuvenation,” he said.

He also stated that this year is significant for China to pursue a comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development., adding that its economy is now deeply integrated into the world.

“China is now the largest trade partner of over 120 counties and regions. In the first 8 months of this year, China directly invested around 77 billion US dollars in 150 countries and regions, with an increase of 18.2% and injecting new powers for world economy growth,” Mr Huaguang said.

China also vigorously promotes its relations with other countries all around the world, especially in enhancing the mutual beneficial cooperation with other developing countries within the framework of South-South cooperation.

President Xi Jinping announced a series of important measures to provide assistance to developing countries to reach the targets set in the Post-2015 development agenda during the 70th anniversary of United Nations in New York last week.

China will set up a fund, with initial contribution of US$2 billion, to support South-South cooperation and assist developing countries in implementing their post-2015 development agenda.

It will also make available US$3 billion for setting up the China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund to support other developing countries to combat climate change.

China will exempt the debt of the outstanding intergovernmental interest-free loans due by the end of 2015 owed by the relevant LDCs, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries.

In the next five years, China will make available to developing countries 100 poverty reduction programs, 100 agricultural cooperation projects, 100 trade promotion programs, 100 environment protection and climate change programs, 100 hospitals and clinics, as well as 100 schools and vocational training centers.”

And in the next five years, China will provide 120 thousand opportunities and 150 thousand scholarships for citizens of developing countries to receive training and education in China, and help nurture 500 thousand professional technicians for the developing world.

Mr Huaguang said that through the above mentioned measures, he believes China provide important opportunity for China-Tonga cooperation as well.
He added that relations between the two countries have improved this year, with the new government of Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva in place.

(In) April, Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni led the Tongan Government and Parliament Delegation to visit China and both sides exchanged views for further promoting bilateral cooperation. The successful visit plays a positive role in mutual understanding and future collaboration,” he said.

In May, the Chinese Military Delegation paid a goodwill visit to Tonga and dialogues with His Majesty’s Armed Forces and reached consensus for future cooperation.

In July, the grand coronation ceremony for His Majesty King Tupou VI was held in Tonga. Chinese President Xi Jinping appointed Mr. LI Jinzao, Chinese Minister for Tourism as his special envoy to attend the ceremony and convey the congratulation letter as well as the good willing for enhancing our cooperation.
Furthermore, the Chinese government continues to help Tonga through:

-The construction of the St. George Palace Project funded by Chinese government, which has started
-The donation of goods for helping Tonga to address climate change
-The fourth term of Chinese agricultural expert team and the third term of Chinese doctors already started or will start to serve in Vaini Farm and Vaiola Hospital, which will provide technical and human resources support for Tongan agriculture and health sector.
-25 Tongan students won Chinese Government Scholarship to study in China.
-The cooperation between Guangdong Province and local government in Tonga gained good momentum. This year, Guangdong sent two delegations to Tonga and already invited Hon. Deputy Prime Minister to attend the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Expo, which will be held in late October in Guangdong.
-To promote bilateral trade, Chinese quarantine experts will visit Tonga next month to pave the way for the export of Tongan squash to Chinese market.
-China will also support Tonga to host 2019 South Pacific Games by funding the construction of gymnasium.

Acting Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said that the government of Tonga owes much to the ongoing assistance from the Chinese government, the local Chinese community in assisting with the development of Tonga through these generous donations and contributions to the economy, grant aids and construction projects.

He also conveyed Tonga’s gratitude for the assistance of China to develop the sport complex for Tonga High School that would be essential to the successful hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games.

Tonga is an important partner of China in this region.

Hon Sovaleni said both are building a Strategic Partnership of Mutual Respect and Common Development. The government and the people of Tonga are now making every efforts to realize the social and economic development.

“His Majesty’s Government renders its support to China in promoting the strong ties between our two countries; and supports China on issues significant at every opportunity in the International forums of which Tonga is a member,” Hon Sovaleni said.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications