A trade delegation from China met Crown Prince Tupouto'a and Shoreline executives for lunch at the Waterfront Restaurant on Thursday 12 August. Pictured from left, the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga Gao Shanhai, leader of the delegation Yu Ping, and the Prince Regent, Crown Prince Tupouto'a.

Trade relations between Tonga and the Peoples' Republic of China reached a new height this week, with the first visit to Tonga by a high level trade delegation from China to assess investment opportunities in power supply, information technology, agriculture, import and export. They also included banking and risk management officials.

The vigorous development of trade dialogue between the two countries was initiated by the Crown Prince Tupouto'a in Beijing in early June when he formally announced what he called his "look East Policy".

In a television interview in Tonga in July the Prince Regent explained his conviction that China could help Tonga, particularly in the area of providing financial capital for private enterprises. He said that through the Bank of China, his company Shoreline secured a multi-million pa'anga loan over a long period of time. He said that long-term loans were very important for Tonga because it is still a developing economy. He said that the five-years term offered by local commercial banks is too, and if the local commercial banks would not adjust their loan repayment term, it could be an invitation for the Bank of China to establish a branch in Tonga.

The 14-members delegation arrived in Tonga on Tuesday, August 10 and will leave Tonga tomorrow [August 14].

The delegation is led by Yu Ping, the vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade CCPIT, and China's Chamber of International Commerce CCOIC. Other members included:

Huang Jinkai, and Xu Jienong, of the China Huaneng Group;

Ye Xueming, Chairman of CCPIT Guangxi sub-Council and CCOIC Guangxi Chamber;

Cong Mingqi, Vice General President of Magang (Group) Holding Co. Ltd;

Xu Zhaohong, Executive Assistant President of China Huarong Asset Management Corporation;

Jiang Tongwei, Assistant to General Manager of China Huarong Asset Management Corporation;

Li Jigang, Executive vice Chairman of CCPIT Ningxia Sub-Council;

Wang Shoujiang, Chairman CCPIT Harbin Sub-Council and CCOIC Harbin Chamber;

Jiang Peijing, Director of Liaison Department, CCPIT Harbin Sub-Council and CCOIC Harbin Chambere;

Sun Qinglin, vice Chairman Harbin General Trade Union;

Yu Jianlong, Deputy Director-general, Department of International Relations CCPIT;

Zhao Zhenge, Director, Department of International Relations, CCPIT; and

Miss Ji Jingyi, Project Manager and Interpreter, Department of International Relations, CCPIT.

The delegation were guests of the Chairman of the Board of Shoreline, the Prince Regent, Crown Prince Tupouto'a at a luncheon at the Waterfront Restaurant in Nuku'alofa yesterday, August 12.