A goodwill visit to Tonga this week by high-level Chinese legislators was the first from China's Congress.

A delegation from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China arrived in Tonga on Monday September 3. The 20-member delegation was headed by the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee, HE Jiang Zhenghua.

A spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Nuku'alofa said yesterday that the purpose of the visit was to further promote the friendly cooperative relations between the Chinese National People's Congress and the Legislative Assembly in Tonga.

This visit was also in conjunction with the high level visits between Tonga and China that are ongoing.

While in Tonga the delegation met with HM King George V, the Prime Minister of Tonga Hon Dr Feleti Sevele, the Speaker of the House Hon. Tu'iha'angana and members of the Tongan Legislature.

The delegation of 17 men and three women also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance and other senior Tongan Government officials.

The delegation left Tonga on September 5.