Results for Foreign Affairs

The 79th birthday of Emperor Akihito of Japan was celebrated in Tonga with a reception hosted by the new Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro on 28 November, at his residence in 'Anana, and attended by Tonga's King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u, when guest speakers noted the strengthening of diplomatic ties between Tonga and Japan. Photos by Linny Folau

HE Ms Tania Tupou, Tonga's first Resident Ambassador to Japan started in her new post at the Government of Tonga's new embassy located at Minato-ku in Tokyo, on October 1.

Chinese professionals and skilled people who are working on Chinese development programs in Tonga on certain passports, may enter the country without a visa starting next month, the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu told the Tongan Parliament on August 28.

NATO leaders including Tonga's Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano endorsed an exit plan that will see NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan, by the end of 2014.

Tonga's Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano will depart Tonga tomorrow, May 16 to attend the 2012 NATO Summit hosted by US President Barack Obama, in Chicago.

Some of Tonga's foreign diplomatic missions are being restructured, reshuffled, and might possibly be relocated, and a new Tongan High Commissioner to Canberra, Australia has yet to be appointed following the ascending of the former high commissioner, Crown Prince Tupoto'a Lavaka to the Tongan throne as HM King Tupou VI, after the death of King George Tupou V on March 18.

An independent audit has found that poor record keeping was behind the alleged misuse by the Tongan government of a New Zealand grant, and there was no evidence of fraud, according to a statement from New Zealand Foreign Affairs.

Celebrating the Tonga National Day 2011 in Beijing on October 28, with a cultural showcase of music and a dinner, also marked the 13th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tonga and China, the Tongan Ambassador to China, HE Siamelie Latu said.

Sex trafficking in Tonga needs to be publicly recognized and with further Government action to prevent it, the US Department of State recommends in its 2011 report on the Trafficking in Persons, that includes Tonga for the first time.