Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Meets with Wang Yi

On May 31, 2022 local time, Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni met with visiting State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Nuku'alofa, joined by Tongan key cabinet ministers. Upon his arrival, Wang Yi was greeted at the airport and at the hotel which hosts the Chinese delegation by a number of Tongan cabinet ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tonga.

Siaosi Sovaleni said he was glad to receive the Chinese delegation at the China-aided government building. You have overcome the pandemic and come all the way to Tonga, fully proving the friendly and strong relations between Tonga and China. Since the establishment of the diplomatic ties, Tonga-China relations have become increasingly close and mutually beneficial cooperation has continued to advance. I sincerely thank China for its selfless assistance to the economic and social development of Tonga, especially for its emergency assistance to Tonga at the earliest time possible in response to the volcano and tsunami disasters and its strong support to Tonga in fighting the pandemic. Both Tonga and China adhere to the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and respect for sovereignty. Tonga will continue to firmly pursue the one-China principle and is staunchly committed to enhancing the friendship between Tonga and China. Tonga looks forward to strengthening the synergy of Belt and Road cooperation with China and deepening practical cooperation in various fields.

Wang Yi thanked Tonga for its warm and friendly reception, congratulated Tonga on its rapidly promoting post-disaster recovery, and believes that the Tongan people will be united to rebuild a better home. China appreciates Tonga for its active participation in the Belt and Road cooperation, and is willing to seek synergy between development strategies, conduct high-quality joint construction cooperation, implement the China-aided projects such as sports stadiums, wind power equipment and others, and carry out exchanges and cooperation at sub-national levels, so that the friendship between China and Tonga will bear more fruits and bring more tangible benefits to the Tongan people.

Wang Yi stressed that China's diplomacy maintains the principle of mutual respect, the tradition of non-interference in internal affairs and the goal of mutual benefit and win-win results. Leaders of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) recently said that the South Pacific Island Countries are not the "backyard" of any country, but independent and sovereign countries that have the right to decide their own affairs. China fully understands and supports that, and is willing to work with all parties in an open manner to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with PICs, while jointly advocating and practicing multilateralism, opposing all unilateral bullying acts, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries.

Siaosi Sovaleni congratulated the successful holding of the second China-Pacific Island Counties Foreign Ministers' Meeting and spoke highly of China's establishment of new platforms such as the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center. Wang Yi said that China has issued a position paper on mutual respect and common development with PICs, which will bring new opportunities for bilateral cooperation between China and Tonga. China looks forward to working with Tonga to expand new areas and create new highlights.

After the meeting, the two sides attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents on disaster prevention and mitigation, agriculture and fisheries, health and others.