(Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing on Tuesday, affirming that China is willing to strengthen alignment of development strategies with Tonga.
Stressing that China and Tonga are true friends who have weathered storms and braved hardships together, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have always unswervingly supported each other’s major concerns and core interests. Pragmatic cooperation has yielded fruitful results and the China-Tonga comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen, setting an example of friendly cooperation between countries with different social systems and varying sizes, he said.
“No matter how the international situation changes, China has always been a reliable partner for Tonga and has always supported Tonga in safeguarding its national independence and sovereignty,” Xi added.
He stressed that China is willing to expand cooperation with Tonga in trade and investment, agriculture and fisheries, infrastructure, clean energy, medical and health care, tourism and combating climate change. China will also deepen exchanges in education, sports, youth, media and subnational cooperation, and continue to provide assistance to Tonga’s economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation.
People from all walks of life in Tonga are welcome to come to China to deepen exchange of experiences in governance and development to better understand China, he added.
Noting that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) outlined the high-level conceptions and strategic plan of China’s economic and social development for the next five years, Xi said China will focus on high-quality development, deepen reforms at all levels, expand high-level opening-up, and share development opportunities with other countries around the world.
China also stands ready to work with Tonga to implement the four global initiatives, create a better life for the people of the two countries, build a China-Pacific island country community with a shared future, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi stressed.
While expressing gratitude for China’s selfless and lasting assistance to Tonga’s economic and social development, King Tupou VI said Tonga attaches great importance to the development of its relations with China. His country firmly adheres to the one-China principle, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and wholeheartedly supports the Chinese government’s efforts for national reunification, he added.
King Tupou VI said Tonga stands ready to expand cooperation with China in the areas of economy, trade, agriculture, clean energy, education, medical care and environmental protection, among others. He added that the country is willing to learn from the CPC’s experience in state governance.
He said Tonga supports the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, adding that the country is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China and jointly respond to climate change and other global challenges.
After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in the areas of economy, trade, medical care, education and development, among others.
Before the meeting, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Mr. Xi and Ms. Peng hosted a welcome banquet for the king and queen in the afternoon.
(Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
