Three Chinese pick-up trucks were handed over to Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku from the Chinese Ambassador HE Cao Xiaolin on 7 June at St George Government Building in Nuku’alofa, as part of assistance worth $413,000 pa'anga from Dongguan Municipality.

The trucks will be used by the Fire Department in their work, and include spare parts. The Ambassador said the total costs of the three trucks with the parts is RMB 1.248 million (around TOP$420,000.

The Prime Minister and the Ambassador signed a handover certificate for the assistance from Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China.

HE. Cao Xiaolin said, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Hon. Prime Minister and the Tongan government on the firm commitment to the one China principle and the valuable supports to China on many issues in international and regional affairs.”

During the year there had been many visiting delegations between China and Tonga,  “the people-to-peole exhange has been increasing,” he said.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku expressed gratitude to the Government and people of China for their continuous assistance to Tonga in various fields.

The vehicles would ensure immediate response of the Fire Department in their services to the people of Tonga, said the Prime Minister, particularly in areas including Halaliku Tongatapu, Fua’amotu Airport, Lupepau’u Airport, and Leimatu’a, Vava’u.

Commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services, Viliami Tu’ihalamaka, attended the event.

This year commemorates the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Tonga and China.