Tonga-China Student Alumni Association Formally Launched ^Featured

His Royal Highness Prince Ata, His Excellency Huang Huaguang, Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ana, Deputy CEO of the Ministry of Education Taunisila, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Latu, members of the alumni association and about 70 other guests attended the launching ceremony.

In his speech, Ambassador Huang extended warm congratulations on the launching of the association and sincere gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Ata, the Ministries of Education, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs and relevant departments of Tonga for the support to the educational cooperation between China and Tonga.

He said that since the diplomatic ties were established, China and Tonga have kept deepening exchanges and cooperation in various fields and achieved fruitful results in educational cooperation. China has been supporting Tonga in various forms, such as aid in constructing school building, donation of educational materials, provision of scholarships and personnel training, which has greatly promoted the development Tonga’s education.

Ambassador Huang pointed out that over 170 Tongan students have been awarded Chinese Government Scholarships to study in China so far. The establishment of the Association builds an important bridge for the non-governmental contacts and friendly cooperation between China and Tonga.

Though China and Tonga have different history and culture, two peoples share the common wish of enhancing mutual understanding.He hoped that the association could organize colorful activities of exchange and make contribution to expand the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

 Deputy CEO Taunisila expressed sincere gratitude for China’s support to Tonga’s education and other fields and provision of opportunities for Tongan students to study in China. He said that Tongan students not only learned knowledge, skills and rich Chinese culture, but also opened up their eyes and fostered global thinking in China.

He emphasized that education was priority for Tonga and crucial for the social progress and sustainable development of Tonga. Taunisila said that Tonga was looking forward to working with China in a bid to deepening cooperation in education.

Deputy Secretary Latu also extended congratulations on the launching of the association in his brief remarks. He wished that the educational cooperation between Tonga and China will constantly progress further.

President of the association Curtis said that the main purposes of the association are to build partnership through friendly exchanges, promote educational aims of Tonga and China, encourage engagement of the alumni and the peoples of Tonga and China. Curtis thanked the Chinese Embassy for the support to the association and pledged to turn the association into a bridge for closer relations and friendship between the two countries.

During the launching, the alumni of the association performed a chorus of a Chinese song “Friends” in mandarin and traditional Tongan dance, which won the warm applause of the attend