Tonga's new ambassador to the People's Republic of China, HE Mahe'uli'uli Sandhurst Tupouniua, presented his Credentials to HE Mr Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, on Friday, March 27 2009.

He reassured the Chinese president of Tonga's commitment to further strengthening of the cordial relations between the two countries, and also reaffirmed Tonga's support for the One-China Policy.

Ambassador Tupouniua is the second Tongan Ambassador to be appointed to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing. He succeeds Mrs 'Emeline Tuita.

Diplomatic relations between Tonga and China were established on November 2, 1998. A Honorary Consul was set up on April 25, 2002, and the Tongan Embassy in Beijing was established on May 18, 2005.

Mahe Tupouniua has previously served at Tonga's Missions in San Francisco, London and New York and he will be supported in Beijing by a First Secretary, Mrs 'Amelia Helu.