Joining Hands to Open Up New Prospects for China-Tonga Relations
Written by H.E. Mr. Liu Weimin,
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga, known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is a radiant pearl set in the Pacific. Comprising more than 170 volcanic and coral islands, Tonga is the only Pacific Island Country that remains a constitutional monarchy and has never been colonized. From the millennia-old craft of Tapa cloth making to the graceful Lakalaka dance, and the world-renowned whale watching experiences, Tonga’s rich Polynesian traditions endow the nation with boundless charm and vitality.
At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, His Majesty King Tupou VI will pay a state visit to China again after seven years, aiming to carry forward the traditional friendship between our two countries and open up new prospects for the development of the China-Tonga comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Tonga enjoy a time-honored and enduring friendship. Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties in 1998, our two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, pursued win-win cooperation for mutual benefits, and maintained sound and steady growth in bilateral relations. Over the past 27 years, through joint efforts, our relationship has taken deep root, flourished, and yielded fruitful results.
First, mutual respect and trust have been steadily strengthened. China develops its relations with Tonga under the principle of “four full respects”, namely fully respects the sovereignty and independence, fully respects its will, fully respects its cultural traditions and fully respects its effort to seek strength through unity. Tonga firmly upholds the one-China principle. We have always understood and respected each other’s development paths, offered unwavering support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and proven to be trustworthy good friends, good partners, and good brothers.
Second, the bonds of cooperation have been further tightened. Tonga is an important development cooperation partner of China, and the Belt and Road Initiative has provided a broader platform for bilateral collaboration. China-Tonga friendly cooperation leaves its footprints everywhere in Tonga. The Tonga National Sports Complex has become a new landmark for tourism check-ins and a preferred venue for large-scale events. The first and largest wind farm project granted by China in the South Pacific region contributes to Tonga’s energy transition and climate resilience, injecting strong momentum into the country’s economic and social development. The Peripheral Area of Royal Tombs Improvement Project helps preserve Tonga’s traditions and culture while providing leisure and transportation convenience for local residents.
Third, mutual support and assistance have continued to deepen. Whether in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption and tsunami, or tackling dengue fever this year, we have always stood together and helped each other through difficulties. These efforts demonstrated the vivid practice of building a community with a shared future for China and Tonga, writing a touching chapter entitled “Lands apart, sky shared.” Such friendship has been etched into the annals of our relations and is truly invaluable.
Fourth, people-to-people ties have grown ever closer. China has provided training for nearly 1,700 Tongan participants, while over 400 students have pursued studies in China. The Chinese navy hospital ship has made four visits to Tonga, delivering essential health services to ordinary people. Beyond these efforts, Chinese medical teams have reached out to remote islands, agricultural experts have helped diversify local food sources, and Chinese teachers have dedicated themselves to teaching Mandarin. Sister-city exchanges have deepened and a number of small but beautiful livelihood projects have directly benefited local communities. Our peoples wholeheartedly support China-Tonga friendship, providing an ever-stronger foundation of public support for bilateral relations.
In today’s world, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerating pace, and the international situation is characterized by uncertainty and instability. Humanity is confronted with many challenges and trials, yet it is also brimming with hopes and opportunities. The longstanding friendship and win-win cooperation between China and Tonga makes it clear to us that a stronger bilateral relationship conforms with the trend of history and serves the best interests of our two peoples. We should seize opportunities, build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future, take concrete actions to promote common development and safeguard regional peace and stability.
We need to deepen political mutual trust, refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs, and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In providing assistance to Tonga, China never attaches any political strings, never imposes its will on others and never makes empty promises. We believe that Tonga will continue to support China’s core interests, firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” in any form, steadfastly support the efforts of Chinese Government to fulfil national reunification, and uphold the authority of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758.
We need to further synergize our development strategies. Both China and Tonga are at a crucial stage of national development. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China deliberated and adopted the Recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, which has set out the blueprint for China’s development in the next five years. Tonga is also formulating Tonga Strategic Development Framework III. China stands ready to share the opportunities brought by Chinese modernization with Tonga, deepen practical cooperation under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, foster new drivers for growth, advance hand in hand in our common pursuit of modernization, and deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.
We need to safeguard our common interests. As members of developing countries and the Global South, China and Tonga share similar positions on many major international and regional issues. We should uphold and defend the authority of the United Nations, strengthen coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, promote a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, champion the common values of humanity, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
An ancient Chinese saying goes that, “Distance cannot divide true friends who feel close even when thousands of miles apart.” Likewise, the Tongan people often say, “pikipiki hama kae vaevae manava.” Though thousands of miles apart, China and Tonga are closely connected by profound historical origins and current friendly cooperation. We firmly believe that the state visit of His Majesty King Tupou VI to China will further consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, deepen practical cooperation, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and elevate the China-Tonga relations to a new height.
