Representatives of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress have visited Tonga for a series of engagements involving the Government, Parliament, the Royal Palace and communities in Ha’apai, according tothe Chinese Embassy in Tonga.
The visit included the handover of equipment and community assistance from Dongguan, a city in China’s Guangdong province, as well as discussions on legislative cooperation and closer ties between Tongan and Chinese institutions.
Image: Chinese Embassy in Tonga
At a ceremony at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre on Thursday, Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, Chinese Ambassador Liu Weimin and Xiao Yafei, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress, witnessed the handover.
The assistance included household solar energy facilities, sports equipment, tractors, a garbage collection truck, outboard engines for fishing boats, and renovations to a school and community public facilities.
The embassy’s statement did not specify the total value of the package, how the equipment would be distributed or which organisations would manage its maintenance.
Ha’apai partnership marks 10 years
During the visit, the Guangdong delegation travelled to Ha’apai, where it was welcomed by Governor Taufatofua and local communities. The programme included a welcome ceremony, cultural performances, assistance with outboard fishing boat engines and a Dongguan–Ha’apai sister-city scholarship.
Image: Chinese Embassy in Tonga
The embassy described the sister-city relationship between Dongguan and Ha’apai as having reached its 10th anniversary, highlighting it as a channel for practical cooperation and exchanges.
Details of the scholarship, including its value, eligibility requirements and application process, were not included in the statement.
Talks with Parliament and the King
On Friday, the delegation held discussions with Tonga’s Legislative Assembly. According to the embassy, the talks covered bilateral relations, coastal-protection legislation and regulatory governance.
On Saturday, the representatives also had an audience with His Majesty the King. The embassy said the meeting explored cooperation across multiple sectors between Tonga and Guangdong.
Image: Chinese Embassy in Tonga
It described the engagement as part of efforts to advance understandings reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the King during their meeting late last year.
The visit brought together community assistance, parliamentary engagement and high-level discussions. For Tonga, the longer-term impact will depend on how the donated equipment and supported projects are allocated, maintained and used to benefit communities and public services.
