Your Majesty, King Tupou VI,
Your Majesty, Queen Nanasipau‘u Tuku‘aho,
Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto‘a ‘Ulukalala,
Your Royal Highness, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku‘aho,
Your Royal Highness, Princess Royal Pilolevu Tuita,
Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, Acting Prime Minister,
The Rt. Hon. Members of His Majesty’s Privy Council,
Hon. Nobles of the Realm,
Hon. Ministers of His Majesty’s Government,
Hon. Members of the Legislative Assembly,
Representatives of the Chinese community,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening, Mālō e lelei to you all.

Today, we gather here to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Your Majesties, the Royal Family, Your Majesty’s Government and friends who have long been caring about and supporting the development of China and China-Tonga relations.

Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past 75 years, Chinese people’s living standards has moved from bare subsistence to moderate prosperity in all respects. China has gone from being poor and weak to being prosperous and strong, making remarkable achievements which attracted the whole world’s attention under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China. In particular, since the 18th National Congress of CPC, China is committed to applying the new development philosophy, unleashing the dynamics, vitality and potential of high-quality development, effectively responding to various risks and challenges on the way forward. China has not only found its own path to modernization, but also injected positive energy into world peace and development.

China’s economic power has thus risen by a significant margin. In 1952, China’s GDP was only USD9.6 billion, but in 2023 it exceeded USD17.8 trillion. At present, China is the world’s second largest economy, largest manufacturer, largest trader in goods, second largest consumer of commodities and largest holder of foreign exchange reserves. China has long contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth, which plays an important role as a stabilizer and source of strength despite the rising instability and uncertainty in the global economy.

China’s scientific and technological innovation keeps climbing up the ladder. The past 75 years have witnessed the enhancement of China’s innovation capacity. Great progress and numerous breakthroughs have been made in science and technology. The Tiangong space station is been fully built and placed into operation, China’s first home-made large passenger aircraft, the C919 has been successfully put into commercial operation, the world’s first tri-fold mobile phone made by HUAWEI is astonished. China has become a major country in science and technology with significant influence in the world and positively contributed to global technological advancement.

China achieved fruitful outcomes in green development. We are committed to pursuing a development path which is green and puts ecological conservation first. New energy vehicle production and sales in China account for over 60 percent in the world, the world’s 70 percent of (Photovoltaics) PV components and 60 percent of wind power equipment are from China, which gives a strong boost to global energy transition and green, low-carbon and sustainable development. China will make the steepest cuts in the world to the intensity of our carbon emissions and complete the process from carbon emissions peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest possible time, making tremendous contributions to global climate change response as a responsible major country.

China’s international influence continues to increase. China always bears in mind the future of humanity and the wellbeing of the people, acts as the defender, builder and contributor of the international order and the indispensable and trustworthy vital force on the world stage. Over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward with Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative respectively, which contributed Chinese wisdom and solution to improving global governance, responding to global challenges and tackling human issues. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind carries forward the same spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and is the most effective move to sustain, promote and upgrade the Five Principles in the new circumstances. Recently concluded Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which brought together leaders of all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, including 47 heads of state and government, was a successful practice of the Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind and the three initiatives.

Your Majesty, Ladies and gentlemen,

On 2nd November last year, we solemnly commemorated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Tonga, on which occasion, Your Majesty honored us with your presence and the important speech. At this new starting point, our traditional friendship continues to consolidate and deepen, bilateral exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in various fields continues to expand and develop.

First, we maintain sound interactions at all levels. This July, large and high level delegations including representatives from the Central Government, Dongguan City of Guangdong Province and Navy, came together to Tonga to celebrate your majesty’s 65th birthday, showing great importance China attaches to China-Tonga relations. Hon. Minister Viliami Latu attended the Third Ministerial Dialogue on Police Capacity Building and Cooperation Between China and Pacific Island Countries and China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo 2 weeks ago. We are delighted to see that Miss Heilala 2024 shined at the Expo. We expect more Ministers and Members of the Parliament will visit China very soon. We also have close contact and exchanges in economic and trade, education and training, cultural and other areas of common interest, laying solid foundation for maintaining our steady bilateral ties.

Second, we continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation. China is a reliable friend and sincere partner of Tonga and always focuses on Tonga’s actual needs, leverages our own strengths, and deliver the benefits of development to more Tongan people. Tonga High School Indoor Stadium was successfully launched last month, which played an important role for Tonga to host the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and received wide attention and commendation from Tongan society and Pacific Island countries. The Peripheral Area of Royal Tomb Improvement Project and the Wind Farm Project will be new landmarks for bilateral cooperation. The China-Aid Agricultural Technology Cooperation Project has been implemented in Tonga for over 15 years, which not only enriched the varieties of vegetables and fruits on people’s dining tables, but also introduced modern agrotechnology. The new Chinese Medical Team has provided professional medical services to local communities in Tongatapu, they will extend their service to Vavau, Ha’apai and other outer islands. “Small but beautiful” public welfare projects funded by the Chinese Embassy help the growth of community’s revenue and household income.

Third, we forge a closer bond between our peoples. The goodwill and friendship between our two peoples has taken root. Chinese volunteer teachers have shown Tonga the unique charm of Chinese language and culture. More and more Tongan students are learning and speaking Chinese. The Chinese song sung by Tonga High School students at the launching ceremony of Tonga High School Indoor Stadium was incredible. Up to now, over 400 students from Tonga have benefited from Chinese Government Scholarship, they are contributing to the development of Tonga and become envoys of our friendship. Tonga-China Friendship Association has made special contributions to promoting our friendship and people-to-people exchanges. Let me pay tribute to Tonga-China Friendship Association and the Patron of it, Your Royal Highness, Princess Royal Pilolevu Tuita, who soon will pay a visit to Beijing and attend the China International Friendship Conference in Commemoration of 70th Anniversary of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), wish you a pleasant journey.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 26 years ago, China-Tonga relations have maintained steadfast momentum. The fundamental reason is we respect each other’s core interest. China respects Tonga’s sovereignty and independence, and Tonga has firmly adhered to the one-China principle. There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Resolution 2758 adopted at the 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1971 reflects and solemnly reaffirms the one-China principle, which is the fundamental prerequisite and political foundation for China to conduct cooperation with all countries including Tonga. Any blatant provocation to UNGA Resolution 2758 and deliberate misinterpretation of the one-China principle is a challenge to the post-World War II international order, which finds no support and is doomed to fail. Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification is a historic mission of the Communist Party of China, and a shared aspiration of the entire Chinese nation. No one should underestimate the great resolve, the strong will, and the extraordinary ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Your Majesty, Ladies and gentlemen,

The Communist Party of China held in July Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, laying out systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This will profoundly further transform China and provide new driving forces for our joint pursuit of development and modernization, and new opportunities for China-Tonga relations.

There is a saying goes, “If you want to go far, go together.” On the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind. We stand ready to work with Tonga, under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and Your Majesty, share development opportunities created by Chinese modernization with Tonga, strengthen Belt and Road cooperation, step up cooperation in education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, climate change and other areas, so as to build a closer China-Tonga community with a shared future and work together to open up a new chapter in our comprehensive strategic partnership.

Now, I would like to propose a toast;

To the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China;

To the health of Their Majesties and all the distinguished guests,

To the bright future of China-Tonga Relations;

Cheers!

Ofa Atu！