State Visit to the People's Republic of China by HM King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho

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From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 4, December 1999.

      Photos © Pesi Fonua / Matangi Tonga

Tiananmen Square, Beijin, China. 6 October 1999

Tongan and Chinese flags were flying all over Tiananmen Square from October 6-8, 1999, during a three days state visit to Beijing by the King of Tonga, Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV. The historic square was the scene of great celebrations in October marking the 50^th anniversary of the People's Republic, proclaimed by Chairman Mao Zedong here in 1949.

Temples from earlier ages surround the square who fundations were built by the Mongo warlord Kublai Khan in the 13th century AD.

China's President Jiang Zemin welcomed the King at the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. 7 October 1999

President Jiang Zemin brought flowers for presentation to the King and Queen of Tonga. Beijing, China. 7 October 1999

A banquet at the Western Hall of the Great Hall of the People hosted by President Jiang Zemin for the King of Tonga and his delegation. Beijing, China. 7 October 1999

A banquet at the Western Hall of the Great Hall of the People hosted by the President Jiang Zemin for the King of Tonga and his delegation. The President later danced with the King's granddaughter (above, left), Hon. Lupepau‘u Tuita.

The banquet at the Western Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Beijing, China. 7 October 1999

China's Premier Zhu Rongji came from Zhongnanhai to the Diaoyutai State Guest House No. 18 to meet the King. Beijing, China. October 1999

State Guest House No. 18 where the King and Queen of Tonga stayed. Beijing, China. October 1999

The Summer Palace near Beijng, China. October 1999

The King travelled by Dragon Boat to view the Summer Palace, one of China's popular historical sites near Beijing. Gardens and palace buildings fringe a lake with many bridges, and guides say it takes about three days to tour the whole compound.

Dragon boats at the Summer Palace. Beijing, China. October 1999

Gardens and palace buildings fringe a lake at the Summer Palace in China. October 1999

Mongolia Governor, Yun Bu Long, presents the King with a golden horse. Mongolia. October 1999

A special Chinese Air Force B-737 flew the King to Baotou, in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia where he was presented with a golden horse by the Governor, Yun Bu Long. Ethnic Mongolian performances were held in honour of the King. Welcoming of visitors in Mongolian style, requires that guests finish a nip of hard liquor before being given a scarf for good luck-in this case to wipe away tears.

Ethnic Mongolian performances in honour of the King of Tonga. Mongolia. October 1999

Scarves were given to the Tongan delegation for good luck. Mongolia. October 1999

Guests were offered a nip of hard liquor before being given a scarf for good luck. Mongolia. October 1999

A lamb was specially roasted for a farewell luncheon with the people of Inner Mongolia. Mongolia. October 1999

Princess Pilolevu and her husband Noble Tuita. Mongolia. October 1999

Mongolian horsemen and women lead the way to the Genghis Khan Mausoleum at Ejin Horo Qi, excited over the first visit by a foreign head of state. Mongolia. October 1999

Horsemen and women in Mongolia. October 1999

A statue of Genghis Khan outside the Genghis Khan Mausoleum. Mongolia. October 1999

King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV and Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho in the inner sanctum of the Genghis Khan Mausoleum. Mongolia. October 1999

The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan- the great leader of the Mongol hordes who unified China in the 13th century AD, and whose offspring were feared from Europe through to the Pacific. Mongolia. October 1999

Dancers at a religious ceremony in the Mausoleum. Mongolia. October 1999

Musicians perform at a religious ceremony at the Mausoleum. Mongolia. October 1999

Roasted lamb was offered by monks in a religious ceremony at the Mausoleum. Mongolia. October 1999

Lunch was prepared and presented by the monks in a religious ceremony at the Mausoleum but the King was not too sure if he would have sipi or not. Mongolia. October 1999