The Tonga-China Student Alumni Association was formally launched by Prince Ata on December 21 at the Kahana Restaurant in Nuku'alofa, with a dinner for Tongan alumni who studied in China.

The Association, made up of former students who have attended Universities in China, will maintain the alumni's connection to China as well as promote Tongan-Chinese cooperation. The Association is set to receive annual funding of $10,000 Pa'anga from the Chinese Government.

The President of Association, Chris Tu'ihalangiengie, told the gathering, "One of the main purposes of the association is to promote the interest, welfare and educational aims of Tonga and China and its alumni."

He also hoped it would be a bridge to help build closer relations between Tonga and China. "We will need all your support and cooperation to make it happen." 

The Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, H.E. Mr Huang Huaguang said the establishment of the Association  provided more opportunities of exchange for the alumni. "It also builds an important bridge for the non-governmental contacts and friendly cooperation between China and Tonga."

"I hope you could use the association as a platform, to organise colourful activities of exchange and make efforts to further expand the mutual understanding between our two peoples."

He said that over 170 Tongan students have so far studied in China on Chinese Government Scholarships. 

"During the recent years, the Chinese Government offered more than 20 full scholarships to the Tongan Government every year. ...They are working in various sectors after returning to Tonga and have become the backbone for the construction of Tonga."