Speaker leads Tongan MPs to China [1]
Monday, October 29, 2012 - 18:43. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
A seven-member Tonga Parliamentary Delegation led by the Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly Lord Fakafanua, is currently visiting China.
The Parliament's Office in Nuku'alofa stated today, the MPs included three People's Representatives 'Akilisi Pohiva (Tongatapu No.1), Falisi Tupou (Tongatapu No.9) and Mo'ale Finau (Ha'apai No.12).
The Nobles Representatives included Lord Tu'ilakepa (Noble's No.2 Representative for Vava'u), Lord Nuku (Noble's Representative for 'Eua) with Lord Fakafanua, accompanied by the Clerk of the House Sione Tekiteki.
The delegation left Tonga last week and are expected to return to Tonga, on November 14.
Invitation
China had invited seven "democratic members" of the Tongan parliament to visit the country.
During a debate in the House on October 9, the House proposed to send nine people, including the Speaker Lord Fakafanua and Clerk of the House. But the Speaker told the House that China did not want to change their invitation, and the figure remained at seven.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu, said that the Chinese Foreign Affairs wanted to upgrade the visit to an official visit.
Tongatapu People's Representative Dr Sitiveni Halapua said, he had a received a message requesting his CV and he would not be able to go on the trip.