An agreement to assist Pacific Island nations, including Tonga, with development project funding was signed on 13 September 2018, in Suva, Fiji.

The Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) between the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and the Pacific China Friendship Association (PCFA) was signed by HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita, as patron of the PCFA, and Mr Francois Martel, PIDF Secretary General.

The event was attended by Mr Michael Gong, representative of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Friendship Ambassador for the Pacific, and stakeholders such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Embassy of Fiji, Fiji China Friendship Association and others.

The agreement will allow Tonga, along with the 12 Pacific Islands Friendship Association Members of the PCFA, to access other avenues of funding for development projects in the area of the Maritime Silk Road and South South Cooperation, such as climate change resilience, economic empowerment, infrastructure, culture, education, and health.

The PIDF and PCFA plan to work together through strong collaboration and projects approved, based on a research and evidence-based approach.

The partnership aims to assist social and economic development.