Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita has ended her visit to China after opening a Tonga Centre at Shanghai Ocean University, following engagements focused on Pacific ocean cooperation, cultural exchanges and strengthening ties between Tonga and China.
The Princess officiated at the unveiling of the Tonga Centre yesterday, the final stop of her visit, where she also met university leaders and Tongan students studying in Shanghai.
Image: Chinese Embassy in Tonga
The visit included engagements in Shenzhen, Nanjing and Shanghai, bringing together discussions on ocean science, economic cooperation, education and cultural relations.
Ocean cooperation and Guangdong award
In Shenzhen last week, Princess Pilolevu delivered a keynote address at the Pacific Ocean Science Conference and participated in the PCFA symposium.
She also received the Guangdong Friendship Award from the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government in recognition of her contributions to Guangdong’s economic development and foreign exchanges, according to the Chinese Embassy in Tonga.
Vice-Chancellor of Tonga National University Dr. Masasso Pāunga (middle) was among the delegation. Image: Chinese Embassy in Tonga
The Princess also met Shen Xin, Vice-President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, to discuss advancing exchanges and practical cooperation between Tonga and China.
The Shenzhen engagements formed part of the International Conference on Pacific Ocean Science Cooperation and Sustainable Future Development, which began during the delegation’s visit last week and was aligned with the United Nations Ocean Decade initiative.
Cultural and educational exchanges
Last Friday, while in Nanjing, Princess Pilolevu met Vice-Mayor Xu Feng, with discussions focusing on strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties between Tonga and China.
The visit also included a tour of Xuanwu Lake and celebrations of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Image: Chinese Embassy in Tonga
The royal delegation included Lord Tuita, Hon. Frederica and representatives from TCFA and PCFA.
The opening of the Tonga Centre at Shanghai Ocean University provides a new institutional connection between the university and Tonga, although details of its planned activities, programmes and resources have not yet been outlined in the embassy’s statements.
The Chinese Embassy said the visit had ended with the aim of further strengthening China-Tonga friendship.
