Tonga's Crown Prince and Foreign Minister Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala on Wednesday expressed strong appreciation for China's long-standing commitment to supporting Tonga in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and climate action.
The Tongan foreign minister came to China to attend the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Xiamen of east China's Fujian Province from Wednesday to Thursday.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), he emphasized that health and education cooperation represent the "most valuable services" provided through the partnership between the two countries.
"We understand how much China values us. And despite being a very small country, in Tonga, we appreciate China's willingness to make us equal among all states. I just came back from Shandong, so that we have a health and education projects in there. We exchange doctors, and China sends a medical team who are very familiar and helped a lot of Tongan people. This is our most valuable service in health and education. In education, you send teachers, we have scholarships, groups of teachers exchange," he said.
Before his trip to Xiamen, the Crown Prince visited the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center in east China's Shandong's Liaocheng University, putting a spotlight on one of the most urgent shared priorities: climate resilience.
"I think the climate action cooperation that the Liaocheng University has is important. There are scholars and professors that have gone to Tonga. It's important to be on the ground to know, to be familiar with the communities and the challenges that they go through, so we know what are the vulnerabilities and how they can become more resilient, and also being familiar enough with them to preserve our traditional culture and our knowledge," he said.
With a national goal to achieve 70 percent green energy generation by 2030, Tonga is relying on continued support from China in advancing sustainable infrastructure and port projects.
Tongan FM expresses appreciation for China's support in health, education, climate action
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
