Dongguan "sister city" of Ha'apai, presents gifts [1]
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 21:21. Updated on Thursday, May 19, 2016 - 11:49.
"You have challenges, and you need help, and that is one of the reasons why we are here," said Mr Yuang Xiaotang, the Deputy Mayor of the city of Dongguan, China, in presenting gifts valued at $800,000 for Tonga and Ha'apai.
It was the fourth visit to Tonga by a delegation from Dongguan. This time, led by Yuang Xiaotang, the delegation included local government officials, from its ministries of Foreign Affairs, Culture, education and Commerce. There were also entrepreneurs from its hospitality, tourism, solar power and food processing sectors.
At the Fa’onelua Convention Centre, Nuku’alofa on Monday, 16 May they met with Tongan Cabinet Ministers, church leaders and private sector representatives.
"The purpose of the visit is to facilitate cooperation in various business sectors between Dongguan and Tonga,” Mr Yuang said.
During their visit to Nuku’alofa from May 14-17 they signed Memorandum of Understanding “on strengthening exchanges and cooperation and the establishment of Sister relations between Dongguan and Ha’apai.”
He said that it was unfortunate that they could not visit Ha’apai, but in the future the areas that they would like to investigate are the industry sector, education, medical, tourism and fisheries.
Their presentation of gifts included a tractor; medical equipment, electrocardiogram machines, ultrasound examination machines and dental chairs. There were also computers, school bags and stationary for schools.
The highlight of the presentation was a performance by art performers to promote the 2016 Guangdong 21 Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo to be held in Dongguan from 27-30 October 2016. The city of Dongguan with a population of 8.3 million is in the province of Guangdong.
There was also a performance by a Tongan cultural group that will represent Tonga at the coming Pacific Cultural Festival in Guam.
On Tuesday, 17 May, Mr Yang, HE Ambassador Huang and Hon. 'Aisake Eke, the Minister of Finance and National Planning commissioned a $1 million Pa'anga Campus Road Upgrade Project for Tupou College. The road upgrade is planned to be completed before Tupou College's 150th anniversary.