Chinese Foreign Minister and Tonga's Crown Prince Emphasize Strengthening Mutual Support for Closer Bilateral Relations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met on Wednesday with Tonga’s Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala in Xiamen City, Fujian Province. The meeting comes as the Tongan dignitary visits China to participate in the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a key diplomatic event aimed at deepening regional cooperation.

During their talks, Wang Yi extended President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings to King Tupou VI of Tonga. He underscored that 27 years of diplomatic ties between China and Tonga have yielded rapid and sustained progress. Wang noted that throughout major challenges—from natural disasters to the COVID-19 pandemic—the two countries have offered steadfast support to one another. This partnership, he said, reflects the shared ideal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Wang reaffirmed China’s unwavering support for Tonga’s sovereignty, security, and development. He expressed gratitude for Tonga’s consistent adherence to the one-China principle and voiced China’s commitment to furthering cooperation in accordance with the consensus reached by the respective heads of state. Over the years, cooperation has broadened from central government engagements to local collaborations and expanded beyond economic links to encompass cultural exchanges, with initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative serving as significant catalysts.

Minister Wang emphasized that China would remain a reliable, long-term strategic partner for Tonga. He highlighted the importance of mutual respect for equal sovereignty among nations, regardless of size or strength. Welcoming Tonga’s increasing involvement in international affairs, Wang praised the Pacific nation’s record of supporting China’s positions in multilateral forums. He reiterated China’s dedication to advancing genuine multilateralism in concert with nations of the Global South, standing firmly against unilateralism and protectionism.

Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, in his remarks, conveyed King Tupou VI’s warm greetings to President Xi Jinping and expressed heartfelt appreciation for China’s timely support to Tonga during the recent volcanic eruption and pandemic period. The Crown Prince remarked on the remarkable progress made in bilateral relations, which has contributed to significant improvements in the livelihoods of the Tongan people.

Drawing on experiences from his recent visit to Shandong Province, he shared how learning more about Confucian thought had deepened his appreciation of Chinese culture. Reiterating Tonga’s steadfast commitment to the one-China policy, the Crown Prince called for closer cooperation in fields such as medical care, education, and the collective response to climate change. He expressed full confidence in the outcomes of the ongoing foreign ministers’ meeting, emphasizing the positive trajectory of China-Tonga relations.

The meeting concluded with both parties pledging to continue working together to bolster bilateral partnerships, promote regional stability, and foster sustainable development across the Pacific region.