A fleet of heavy earthmoving equipment worth $26 million pa'anga was gifted to Tonga’s Ministry of Infrastructure by the People's Republic of China last week.

The fleet includes graders, single and double drum rollers, tire rollers, excavators, dump trucks, skid steer loaders, milling machines, bulldozers, generators, crawler excavators, tractors, semi-trailers, dump trucks and crawler/excavators.

In a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Vaololoa, on Feb. 11, the Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni received the development assistance from the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, HE Cao. Xaolin.

“This is a timely handover and has been long in the making with these heavy machinery and equipment to contribute and further enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Infrastructure for which we are deeply thankful,” the Prime Minister said.

“With this New Year surfaces the formidable challenges that includes an unprecedented eruption of a volcano, an ensuing tsunami and now the presence of Covid-19 cases. We do not despair and are indeed fortunate to have amongst our good friends, countries like China to support us in our time of need and challenge.”

China also brought in two defence aircrafts and two fishing vessels immediately after the volcanic eruption and tsunamis in January.