A Chinese State leader, Mr Wang Jiarui and a delegation arrived in Tonga this morning, 27 March on a two-days goodwill visit.

Mr Jiarui (65), is the Vice-Chairman of China's People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, and the Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPC), the country's founding and ruling political party.

Mr Jiarui and his delegation visited Parliament this morning, then they have an audience with HM King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace before they met the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano for lunch, hosted by the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Fakafanua.

Lord Fakafanua led a Tongan Parliamentary Delegation to China in 2012, where he met and fostered a good relationship with Mr Jiarui  and invited him to visit Tonga. 

Mr Sun Xiaofei, the Second Secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Nuku’alofa said Mr Jiarui is one of China’s State leaders. He said that the objectives of Mr Jiarui's visit is to enhance mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and mutual exchanges between Tonga and China.

Mr Jiarui and his delegation will depart for Beijing tomorrow, 28 March .