Tonga's first tourism promotion artistic group will represent and promote the country at the 2016 Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Expo to be held from October 27-30.

The 25-member group led by the Minister for Tourism Hon. Semisi Sika is joined by Pita Taufatofua Tonga’s famous flag bearer at the Rio Olympics, as well as the reigning Miss Heilala Laura Lauti and runner-up Vika Toetu’u.

Fourteen talented Tongan performers, former and current dancers, directed by Walter and Telesia Tonga at the Polynesian Cultural Centre in Hawaii also join the group whicih represents arts and handicrafts, island creation and fashion design.

At the Expo the group will celebrate through song and dance the epic ocean voyaging stories of Tongan ancestors.

Tonga was invited to the Expo during a meeting between Hon. Sika and the Chinese Ambassador in Tonga HE Mr Huang Huaguang.

The visit recognizes Asian countries and especially the People’s Republic of China as potential markets for Tonga's tourism industry.

The group was shceduled to leave for China today Monday, October 24.