15 Dec 2014

China ups aid to Tonga

3:00 pm on 15 December 2014

China has given Tonga an aid grant of just over 16 million US dollars with the new government to decide how it will be spent.

This has been confirmed by the Chinese Ambassador in Tonga, Huang Huaguang.

The grant was organised in Fiji during last month's visit of China's leader Xi Jinping, and Mr Huang says it will be for the government to use as it sees fit.

Mr Huang says China will continue to strengthen ties with Tonga and other Pacific countries because the Chinese government places a lot of importance on helping the region as an integral part of the Asia Pacific region.

In a separate deal, China is to provide vehicles to assist with the coronation of King Tupou the 6th next year and money to help develop Tonga's ability to respond to climate change.

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