Tonga Prime Minister's delegation in China. November 2013.

China has given Tonga a grant worth an estimated $15 million pa'anga in Guangzhou last week as Tonga's Prime Minister acknowledged the Chinese Government's response to extend the repayment of Tonga's multi-million loan.

Lord Tu’ivakano who held bilateral talks with Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang at the 2nd China-Pacific Islands Economic and Development Cooperation Forum on November 7, said the forum provided an opportunity to push forward relations between China and Tonga, and enable Tonga to share economic and investment experiences at all levels.

He thanked China for gifting Tonga with the MA60 aircraft. The recent infrastructure development and advanced telecommunications technologies were to be a fundamental building block for Tonga’s social and economic development - two areas that China could consider providing assistance in, he said.

China and Tonga also agreed to provide cooperation to foster clean and green renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Tonga's Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon. Lisiate ‘Akolo signed the TOP$15 million grant agreement for Economic and Technical Cooperation.

Loan repayment

The Tongan Government also acknowledged the Chinese Government’s positive response to extend Tonga's loan payment with Exim Bank.

“The two governments will continue to discuss necessary frameworks and agreements to accommodate these arrangements that will place Tonga in a stronger economic and financial situation for its people”, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office in Nuku’alofa.