Eight Fishing Boats Donated by the Dongguan Municipality returned ^Featured

Furthermore, Dongguan and Ha’apai Island have agreed to establish Sister-City Partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016.

As part of its development assistance program towards Tonga, Dongguan government decided to donate eight (8) fishing boats along with boat engines and lifesaving gears in 2017, and reached agreement with the Tongan government on the design drawing and parameters of the boats, also with consensus that four (4) boats will go to Ha’apai.

In January this year, the Tongan government was delighted to receive the eight brand-new boats, which are generally in good condition except some damages to hulls of some boats due to improper loading and unloading operation and long-distance shipment.

A handover ceremony was held at the Tongan Ministry of Fisheries where Hon Semisi Fakahau and Chinese Ambassador HE Wang Baodong signed Handover Certificates for the donation.

In subsequent inspection of the boats after the ceremony, the Chinese Embassy officials concluded that the damages to the boat hulls may pose a threat for safe use, and suggested that the boats be held for distribution before further professional examination and appraisal.

In late January, a team including boat experts from Dongguan Municipality arrived in Tonga, conducted inspection of the boats and held consultation with the Ministry of Fisheries.

After in-depth discussion, it was concluded that all the eight boats were manufactured strictly in line with Chinese standard but might not be fit for use in Tonga.

The reason behind the non-seaworthiness here is that the boats are designed only for fishing rather than the common practice in Tonga that such boats are cross-used for both fishing and transportation service.

The Chinese side then proposed all the eight boats be returned to Dongguan for local use there and the Municipality offered to provide funds to build new boats here in Tonga to meet local requirements, to which the Tonga side agreed and it would take full responsibility for the quality and safety standard of the new boats to be built under its supervision and provision of safety service in the future.

Through the whole course, the Chinese side has shown professionalism, sincerity and accountability.

The Government and people of Tonga showed strong appreciation for the generous donation of eight fishing boats, which illustrates the invaluable close tie and friendship with the Government and people of the Dongguan Municipality, and look forward to maintaining the continuity of on-going enhanced cooperation in various fields that will ensure the sustainable and incremental growth of tangible benefits available to our two peoples.