8th Pacific Friendship Forum and 2nd Pacific Island Friendship Association Annual General Meeting November 2018 ^Featured

Secretary General of Tonga China Friendship Association Col. (Rtd) Siamelie Latu said both meeting were successful.

The theme of the 8th Friendship Forum: “Building Maritime Silk Road, Promoting Common Development”.

During the opening ceremony of the 8th Friendship Forum, Her Royal Highness addressed the conference by saying that we are living in an age of shifting sands, where one entity may seek an alliance with one another regardless of morality or long-term consequences.

The terrible irony is where “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”, means someone once your enemy can become your ally through pragmatism.

Her Royal Highness continued that in her experience, true friends are those that have your welfare at heart, and will gladly stand by your side, without reservation or hesitation, when hardship visits at your most difficult hour.

She said, we are all here for unity of purpose, that being our friendship with the People’s Republic of China.

Together, we are able to face common challenges collectively, such as climate change and trade.

She continued, we in Tonga found China an excellent friend and partner, who understands our needs, gives help or advice when asked, and never interfere in our internal affairs.

China has shown over the past 2 decades that they truly believe in the saying that it is more helpful to teach people how to fish than to give them fish.

HRH shared her forward-looking conceptual goal for the Pacific Region. She stated that from China, sailing west, the Maritime Silk Road winds its way.

It travels from Fuzhou via many Chinese ports to South East Asia, the Indian sub-continent, Nairobi and thence via the Red Sea, to Venice in Italy.

It is one of two ribbons of trade, goodwill and friendship ( the other being the land-based Silk Road), which entwine the major centers of commerce, industry and population.

The two roads together, northern and southerly, embrace much of the world’s activity.

Her Royal Highness stated that she sees no further easterly progression past Indonesia.

Nothing, She alluded to Pacific Islands as smaller nations, that we of the Pacific, we whose home covers one quarter of this planet’s surface.We don’t exist along this line of life and trade.

Her Royal Highness’ appeal stated that on the Southern Trade Winds which we know so well, why can we nt have an extension to the Maritime Silk Road, or if you will , what I call “The Maritime Pearl Road”., one distinctively created for the Pacific region?

This will be a bespoke conduit for commerce, industry, education and cultural exchanges, with the overarching tenet for friendship.

Her Royal Highness in her capacity as Patron of Pacific China Friendship Association stated in her speech during the opening ceremony that PCFA is more than just a family. PCFA is a peer support group, a cultural hub, an exchange for learning, a clear house for ideas, a buying group, a bloc… or anything PCFA wishes to pursue.

HRH emphasized about making the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative truly global by the creation of a Pacific version, what she called the Maritime Pearl Road.

As for the Maritime and land-based Silk Roads, there would be hubs of activity throughout the Pacific Islands region, beginning in the north-western corner of the Pacific and winding its way, serpent-like, throughout the Member nations to the south-easternmost point.

The location of these hubs would be up to PCFA as an organization to dictate.

Apart from commerce, the Maritime Pearl Road must be an instrument to facilitate social change: better outcomes for health, education, general welfare, progress for women’s rights, safer, better infrastructure and protection of the environment.

PCFA must use this as a conduit and communication of best world practice in these and other areas to ensure sustainability, safety and growth.

The Conference proceeded to the election of the President, Secretary General and Board Members. The result of the election was as follows:

President - Dr. Hiria Ottino, Secretary General - Mr. Anthony Leong, Board Members: - Australia, Fiji, Solomon, Tonga, Vanuatu.

The Delegation from Tonga included: Hon. Salote Lupepau’u Tuita Taione; Mr. ‘Epeli Taione; Col. (Rtd). Siamelie Latu; Ms. Tupou Moala.