China will give the Tonga Defence Services an aircraft in the near future, the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr Fan Guijin promised at the TDS headquarters during a hand-over ceremony of eight trucks.

The trucks worth USD$500,000 were a gift from the People's Republic of China to the Tonga Defence Services.

At the TDS Headquarter, Sene, the Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs Hon. Tu'a Taumopeau thanked the Ambassador and the People's Liberation Army for their generous assistance.

He said in April he visited China and met the Chinese Minister of Defence and they discussed the transportation needs for the Tonga Defence Service.

"The new trucks will enable TDS to quickly react to unforseen circumstances, especially at this time of year which is Tonga's cyclone season, and its first call will be in response to natural disasters."

HE Mr Fan Guijin said the assistance "cements our close relations and I will make sure the list of cooperation projects to be provided by China to Tonga will be longer and longer."

HE Mr Fan Guijin sand that defence of one of a wide range of areas covered by the Tonga-China's cooperation, "and in the near future we will also be donating an aircraft to the Tonga Defence Services."