Nine Tongan students on study scholarships in China successfully completed their degrees this month.

According to the Tongan Embassy in China, the students graduated from universities in Beijing, Shandong, Jianxi, Wuhan and Jilin with Masters degrees and Bachelor degrees. The achievement was marked with a prayer service with the Tongan students based in Beijing and their families on Sunday, 25 June.

The nine students who graduated are:

• Isaiah Takau – Master of Science with Honors in Clinical Pharmacology (MSc Phm (Hons)
• Uaisele Mafi – Master in Medicine (MMed)
• Sioana Fili – Master in Applied Economics
• Karen Fatai – Master of Enterprise Management
• Taufa Tua – Master in Agriculture Science
• Joseph ‘Aho – Bachelor of Law
• Manase Halafihi – Bachelor in Sports Management
• Florida Afeaki – Bachelor in Business Administration
• Siunipa Mafua – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

In a statement, Tonga's Embassy thanked the Chinese government for their continuous support and funding to enable “students from all walks of life in Tonga to pursue further studies”. Over 70 Tongan students are currently studying in China with over 20 based in Beijing during the 2016/17 academic year.