H.E. MR SIAMELIE LATU, Tongan Ambassador to China and Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Affairs Office of Chinese Ministry of National Defence signed the agreement on China’s provision of military aid gratis to Tonga on Friday July 22, 2011.

The agreement was signed with a view to further develop the friendly cooperative relations between the armed forces of the two countries through friendly consultations.

The Ministry of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China has approved to provide the Tonga Defence Services with military aid gratis to the value of 10,000,000 RMB (ten million RMB yuan). The Chinese Ministry of National Defence agrees to ship the military goods to Nuku‘alofa and that both sides shall designate their respective representatives for the hand-over. The Chinese Ministry of National Defence shall bear all the expenses required for the transportation of the said goods from China to Nuku’alofa, and the Tonga Defence Services shall be responsible for all the expenses incurred after the arrival of the said goods at Nuku’alofa.

Following the completion of the signing of the agreement, H.E. Mr. Siamelie Latu conveyed to Rear Admiral Guan Youfei his sincere appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the Lord Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence for the continued support and assistance provided by the People’s Liberation Army to the Tonga Defence Services. Tongan Embassy, 26/07/11.