First Big Group of Chinese Tourist Arrived in Tonga Featured
Crown Prince Tupou To'a 'Ulukalala with Chinese tourists at Vuna Wharf
19 December, 2016. On December 16, 2016, Cruise Ship Costa-Atlantica with about 2000 Chinese tourist on board arrived at Nuku’alofa of the Kingdom of Tonga.
His Royal Highness personally welcomed the tourist group at the wharf and wish them Happy New Year in Chinese. The local friends welcome the Chinese tourists by passionate traditional dance. Police Brass Band also played welcome music for the group.
His Excellency Huang Huaguang, Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga accompanied HRH Prince Ulukalala during the tour of the ship and attended the welcome ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga.
Clothes donation was also held during the ceremony. Honorable Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva, Honorable Minister of Tourism Semisi Sika, Honorable Minister of Revenue and Customs Tevita Lavemaau and other high level officials of Tongan government also attended the ceremony.
Ambassador Huang expressed sincere gratitude to the Royal family and relevant departments of the Government of Tonga for the thoughtful arrangements for this Chinese tourist group and warm welcome to the Chinese tourists. He said that it is the first time that Tonga receives such a big group of about 2000 Chinese tourists.
This is of great importance to the cooperation in tourism between China and Tonga.China is a country with big tourism industry. Every year, over 120 million Chinese people travel abroad. There is broad prospect to deepen cooperation in tourism between China and Tonga.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Tonga have been deepening cooperation in various fields. The visit of this big tourist group to Tonga is of great importance to the cooperation in tourism between the two countries.
He believed that the friendly cooperation in various fields including tourism will progress further with the concerted efforts of both sides.
Prime Minister Pohiva warmly welcomed the Chinese tourists in his remarks. He said this visit by the big tourist group from China is a milestone in the development of tourism of Tonga. It will promote the improvement of tourism infrastructure, quality of service, sustainable development of tourism and protection of Tonga’s culture and environment.
Tonga welcomes more Chinese tourists. The government of Tonga is committed to development tourism and willing to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation with China in tourism and other fields.
Before the welcome ceremony, Ambassador gave an interview with the report of Beijing TV. He extended New Year greetings to all the Chinese people in China and abroad. He pointed out that China is actively promoting cooperation in broad area with Tonga and made positive progress.
Every year, China will provide grant to Tonga and help Tonga in construction of projects. Civil airplane was also donated to Tonga. The Chinese companies made a large scale of investment in the field of drinking water and enery.
Retail stores managed by the Chinese people in Tonga have met the demand of the local people. The above-mentioned cooperation not only bring convenience to the life of Tongan people, but also played an important role in enhancing the capability of self-development and promoting the economic and social development of Tonga.
China is ready to work with Tongan side to expand friendly cooperation in economy, trade, tourism, transportation and bring benefit to the two peoples.
This group of Chinese tourists is the first big batch of Chinese tourists visiting Tonga after the visa waiver agreement between China and Tonga came into force. It will greatly drive the cooperation in tourism and people to people exchange between China and Tonga.
