Prince Ata presents traditional gifts to the Chinese Ambassador HE Mr Wang Donghua at Kolovai, Tongatapu, 26 January 2013.

HM Queen Nanasipau'u, Prince Ata and the people of the western district of Tongatapu on Saturday, January 26  celebrated the completion of renovation to the Fatufatufala 'i Fale Lalava District Hall and restoration of a sports field in Kolovai, funded by the Government of the People's Republic of China.

China's Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Wang Donghua in thanking the Queen and people for their hospitality and generosity said the purpose of China's air to Tonga aid was "to develop friendly relations and help Tonga within our capacity."

Prince Ata thanked China and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for completing major renovations to the hall and improvement of the sports ground located in Kolovai.

He said repairs included fixing leaks on the roof, fresh painting to the hall's interior, refurbishment of the kitchen and bathrooms among other areas.

Prince Ata urged his people to make good use of the newly renovated hall which is available for various functions, and may be used as an emergency shelter in times of natural diasters for the district.

China

HE Mr Wang Donghua commended the Queen who made the refurbishment and restoration possible. The donation of the funds for the projects was motivated to a great extent by the enormous care and love by Queen Nanasipau'u for the people including those on the eastern (Hihifo) district.

He said his embassy responded quickly because he knew how important the Hihifo District Hall and sports field is for the people in this district. The $190,000 pa'anga used was a grant from the Chinese government.

"We are happy to see that the hall is in better shape to serve as a venue for multi functions and above all serve as the emergency shelter for the district during cyclone season. People here can go back to the sports field for fun they used to have," he said.

Competition for air service

HE Mr Wang Donghua said 2012 was a year of fruitful cooperation between Tonga and China with major projects completed and funded by the Government of China, including the Nuku'alofa CBD reconstruction, Tonga National Road Improvement project, the Vaipua Bridge in Vava'u among others and handed over to the Tongan side.

He said this year marks the15th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Tonga and China and these two projects marked the cooperation and celebration of the anniversary.

Other cooperation included China's donation of two 50-seater aircrafts to Tonga with a view to improving the air service and to promote tourism in this country. The aircraft were in the process of being manufactured and expected to come sometime in the second half of the year, he said.

"Its arrival would introduce some competition in the market of air service, from which the people will benefit. Competition is not what should be feared but should be encouraged because it is one of the universally accepted rules of market economy. We all know, no competition is no progress."

Motive

He said as Tonga and China's cooperation developed further there were some curiosities about the motives of China's aid to Tonga.

"You can rest assured there is no ulterior motive behind China's aid to Tonga. The purpose of our aid is very simple, to develop friendly relations and help the country within our capacity. We are here to join other partners in helping this country. We are not seeking spheres of influence or control in the Pacific in developing relations with regional countries, as that runs counter to our foreign policy principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference with others internal affairs."

The Ambassador said China provides aid to Tonga, first and foremost out of the close relationship between our two countries and sincere friendship between our two people.

He said China is committed to the cooperation within the South-South cooperation framework and Tonga is a part of the developing world and has very limited resources at its disposal for development. 

"We believe in the goal of common development as the reality is that without development there woud be no peace in world," he said.

He also said at the time when the impact of international financial crises and debt crisis was still painfully felt in our two countries and in the world as a whole it is in the best interests of our two people to strengthen our cooperation of mutual benefit.

" Believe me, nobody else would come to our rescue while their economies are also struggling with continued weakening growth and we cannot easily get out of the difficulties imposed on us from the outside if we are left at the mercy of global economic fluctuations and hesitant to help ourselves through cooperation."

During the luncheon feast traditional singing by Toa Ko Pouvalu group and dancing by the youths of Kolovai entertained guests which included Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu, Dr 'Ahio, Minister of Health Lord Tu'i'afitu, District Officer Sione Manumanu and others.