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editor@nukualofatimes.tbu.to
www.nukualofatimes.tbu.to
October 2, 2015
Nuku’alofa Times
Mrs Tupou is Netherlands’ consul
N U K U ’ A L O F A (Nuku’alofa Times): The Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Kingdom of Tonga, Mrs. Petunia Tupou, was presented with a Letter of Exequatur, at a Ceremony that took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the 25th September 2015. The Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, presented the Letter of Exequatur on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga, signifying the grant of authority to Mrs. Tupou to exercise her functions, carry out the duties of her office and have benefits of the provisions stipulated in the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Among the exchanges made, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade emphasized the
value held by the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga toward the relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and expressed his confidence that the Honorary Consul will take an active part in the communication between Tonga and the Netherlands. In this connection, the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga is confident that the appointment of the Honorary Consul will broaden the ties between the two Countries, and will act as a trustworthy bridge in expanding economic and cultural ties between the people of the two Nations. The approval toward the appointment of Mrs. Petunia Tupou as Honorary Consul of the Netherlands to the Kingdom of Tonga, was granted by the Government of Tonga, early this year. The Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon. Fanetupouvava’u
Tourists enjoy Nuku’alofa
NUKU’ALOFA (MEIDECC): Over 1,900 tourists visited Nuku’alofa during the day visit of the cruise ship Dawn Princess. The liner, which arrived at Vuna Wharf at around 8am, brought with her a total of 1,953 passengers, who were mostly Australians. The Dawn Princess arrived from Sydney and left for Apia, Samoa in the evening. Good weather blessed the day as tourists were able to walk around the capital city and buy local handicraft as souvenirs. Some took ‘Around the Island Tours’ to visit some of Tonga’s historical sites while others also took to snorkeling out in the waters off Nuku’alofa. The Ministry of Tourism said the visit enabled local vendors to sell some of their handicrafts and products. The cruise ship market is one that Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, is working on developing. A cultural performance greeted the tourists when they arrived in the morning, with another also bidding them farewell as they departed Vuna Wharf. The Dawn Princess has a crew of 857 and visited the Kingdom in partnership with local Tour Operator EM Jones and shipping agent Pacific Forum Line.
‘Atenisi trio go for overseas studies
NUKU’ALOFA (Nuku’alofa Times): Thee graduates from ‘Atenisi University have been awarded scholarships for overseas studies. Tevita Manu’atu, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) graduate was awarded a scholarship for his Masters Degree in Social Anthropology at the University of Northern Illinois in the United States of America. Andreios Faiva’ilo left on September 22 on a one year scholarship in Polish Language & International Geography at the University of Wroclaw in Poland while ‘Okusitino Siotani Tae left on September 24 to complete his third year at the University of Ryukus in Japan. ‘Atenisi University’s Director Sisi’uno Helu said these scholarships are fully funded. She added that she was proud of the accomplishments by the students of ‘Atenisi, despite the fact that the local university is one of the smallest in the world. “There’s a lot more they can achieve regardless of the size of the University,” she added
Hon Sovaleni (;eft) with Mrs Tupou, Mr Tupou and Hon Fanetupouvava’u Tu’ivakano
Tu’ivakano, Head of Corporate Services, Deputy
Secretary Siamelie Latu, and the Acting CEO of
Education and Training, and spouse of the Honorary
Consul, Mr. Claude Tupou, were present at the event.
Tourists relaxing in Nuku’alofa after they arrived on the Dawn Princess
China, Tonga relations strengthened (From Page 3) And in the next five years, China will provide 120 thousand opportunities and 150 thousand scholarships for citizens of developing countries to receive training and education in China, and help nurture 500 thousand professional technicians for the developing world. Mr Huaguang said that through the above mentioned measures, he believes China provide important opportunity for China-Tonga cooperation as well. He added that relations between the two countries have improved this year, with the new government of Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva in place. In April, Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni led the Tongan Government and Parliament Delegation to visit China and both sides exchanged views for further promoting bilateral cooperation. The successful visit plays a positive role in mutual understanding and future collaboration,” he said. In May, the Chinese
Military Delegation paid a goodwill visit to Tonga and dialogues with His Majesty’s Armed Forces and reached consensus for future cooperation. In July, the grand coronation ceremony for His Majesty King Tupou VI was held in Tonga. Chinese President Xi Jinping appointed Mr. LI Jinzao, Chinese Minister for Tourism as his special envoy to attend the ceremony and convey the congratulation letter as well as the good willing for enhancing our cooperation. Furthermore, the Chinese government continues to help Tonga through: -The construction of the St. George Palace Project funded by Chinese government, which has started -The donation of goods for helping Tonga to address climate change -The fourth term of Chinese agricultural expert team and the third term of Chinese doctors already started or will start to serve in Vaini Farm and Vaiola Hospital, which will pro-
vide technical and human resources support for Tongan agriculture and health sector. -25 Tongan students won Chinese Government Scholarship to study in China. -The cooperation between Guangdong Province and local government in Tonga gained good momentum. This year, Guangdong sent two delegations to Tonga and already invited Hon. Deputy Prime Minister to attend the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Expo, which will be held in late October in Guangdong. -To promote bilateral trade, Chinese quarantine experts will visit Tonga next month to pave the way for the export of Tongan squash to Chinese market. -China will also support Tonga to host 2019 South Pacific Games by funding the construction of gymnasium. Acting Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said that the government of Tonga owes much to the ongoing assistance from the
Chinese government, the local Chinese community in assisting with the development of Tonga through these generous donations and contributions to the economy, grant aids and construction projects. He also conveyed Tonga’s gratitude for the assistance of China to develop the sport complex for Tonga High School that would be essential to the successful hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games. Tonga is an important partner of China in this region. Hon Sovaleni said both are building a Strategic Partnership of Mutual Respect and Common Development. The government and the people of Tonga are now making every efforts to realize the social and economic development. “His Majesty’s Government renders its support to China in promoting the strong ties between our two countries and supports China on issues significant at every opportunity in the International forums.”