Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua joined members of the Chinese community in celebrating the Spring Festival, marking the Year of the Horse. The event hosted by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic to China, His Excellency Mr Liu Weimin, was graced by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻan and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Sinaitakala.

In his remarks, the Honourable Prime Minister noted that the Spring Festival transcends mere celebration; it is a season of reunion, renewal, and hope. Values that resonate deeply in Tonga, where family and community remain the cornerstone of our culture. Just as Chinese families reunite across great distances, Tongan families gather to strengthen bonds and honour tradition.

The Prime Minister also reflected on the continued advancement of relations between Tonga and the People’s Republic of China, underpinned by mutual respect for each nation’s core interests. He acknowledged China’s commitment to upholding Tonga’s sovereignty and independence, alongside Tonga’s principled adherence to the One-China Policy. He further highlighted the tangible progress achieved together in infrastructure, energy, education, and people-to-people exchanges – enduring symbols of cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

Concluding his address, the Honourable Prime Minister expressed his hope that the Year of the Horse will inspire both countries to move forward with confidence and unity, deepening bilateral ties and bringing continued prosperity and well-being to their peoples.

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Na’e kau fakataha ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia, Lord Fakafanua, mo e komiuniti Siaina ‘i Tonga ni ‘i hono katoanga’i ‘o e ta’ufo’ou ‘a Siaina, ‘a ia ko hono faka‘ilonga‘i ‘o e Ta‘u ‘o e Hoosi. Na‘e me’a ‘i he katoanga ni ‘a e Tama Pilinisi Kalauni, Tupouto‘a mo e Ta’ahine Pilinisesi Kalauni Sinaitakala Tuku’aho.

‘I he‘ene me‘a fakalangilangi ‘o e ’aho, na’e fakaha ai ‘e he ‘Eiki Palemia ko e katoanga ni, ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha fakafiefia pē, ka ko e taimi ‘o e fakatahataha, fakafo’ou, mo e ‘amanaki lelei. Ko e ngaahi koloa ni ‘oku mālohi ‘aupito ‘enau fetu‘utaki mo Tonga, ‘a ia ‘oku kei tu‘u ma‘u ai ‘a e famili mo e komiuniti ko e pou tuliki ia ‘o ‘etau anga fakafonua. Hangē pē ko e fakatahataha ‘a e ngaahi famili Siaina mei he ngaahi feitu‘u mama‘o atu, ‘oku fakatahataha foki ‘a e ngaahi famili Tonga ke fakalahi ‘a e va fetu‘utaki mo faka‘apa‘apa‘i ‘a e tukufakaholo.

Na‘e toe me’a ‘a e ‘Eiki Palemia ki he fakalakalaka ki mu‘a ‘a e va fetu‘utaki ‘i he vā ‘o Tonga mo e Lepupilika ‘o e Kakai ‘o Siaina, ‘a ia ‘oku fakatefito ‘i he faka‘apa‘apa ki he ngaahi fiema‘u mo e lelei ‘a e fonua takitaha. Na‘a ne fakaha ‘a e tukupa ‘a Siaina ki hono poupou‘i ‘a e tau‘atāina mo e pule‘anga ‘o Tonga, mo e feinga ‘a Tonga ke muimui ki he aleapau One-China Policy. Na‘a ne toe fakamamafa‘i ‘a e ngaahi fakalakalaka kuo lava he fengaue’aki fakataha ‘i he langa fakalakalaka lalahi, ma’u’angaivi, ako, mo e ngaahi ngaue fakafetongi ‘a e kakai – ko e ngaahi faka‘ilonga tu‘uloa ia ‘o e ngāue fakataha mo e fakakaume‘a ‘i he vā ‘o e ongo fonua.

Na’a ne aofangatuku’aki ‘a ‘ene fakahā ‘a ‘ene ‘amanakilelei ko e Ta‘u ‘o e Hoosi te ne ue‘i ‘a e ongo fonua ni ke laka ki mu‘a ‘i he loto-to‘a mo e lototaha, fakaloloto ange ‘a e vā fetu‘utaki faengaue’aki, mo ‘omi ha lelei mo e mo‘ui lelei ki hona kakai.