Tonga's National Day was celebrated with a reception and buffet dinner in Hamburg, Germany on November 3 (November 4, in Tonga) hosted by Mr Erwin M. Ludewig, the Honorary Consul General of Tonga in Hamburg.

The celebration attended by about 140 guests was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel ball room. Guests included the President of the Hamburg State Parliament Mr Berndt Roeder; the First and Second Vice Presidents Mrs Barbara Duden and Mr Wolfhardt Ploog; as well as four Deputy State Ministers. The Hamburg Consular Corps, led by its Dean, was well represented, and so was the business community.

Mr Sione Sonata Tupou, First Secretary of the Tongan Embassy-High Commission in London, also attended the reception.

Mr Ludewig, in his welcome, gave a short overview of contents, spirit and meaning of the constitution of 4 November 1875 and of the reform work underway as instigated by HM King George Tupou V.

President Berndt Roeder conveyed the greetings and good wishes of the Hamburg State Government and he reminded the guests of the long standing friendly relations between Tonga and Germany and the treaties of friendship of 1876 and 1977.