Your Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u,

Your Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Sinaitakala,

Your Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita,

Honorable Members of the Royal Family,

Honorable Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva,

Honorable Speaker Tu’ivakano,

Honorable Ministers of the Cabinet, Nobles of the Realm, Members of Parliament,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. Welcome to this song and dance show. First of all. I’d like to particularly thank Your Majesties for your presence. I’d also like to express gratitude to the Chongqing Song and Dance Ensemble for making this special trip to Tonga and giving performance in celebration of His Majesty’s birthday. My thanks also go to Honorable Lord Chamberlain and the Pua Hotel for the careful arrangement made for this event.

On this happy occasion of His Majesty’s Birthday, Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a personally signed letter to His Majesty, extending his sincere congratulations and best wishes. The letter will be handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Tonga, I’d like to join our President and wish Your Majesty happy birthday and good health.   

His Majesty is a pioneer of the friendly relations between China and Tonga. In 1998, His Majesty who was then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tonga visited China and signed on behalf of the Kingdom of Tonga the joint communique to establish diplomatic ties with China, which opened a new page in the China-Tonga relations.

Ever since then, His Majesty and the royal family of Tonga have been actively supporting the development of the bilateral relations. Consecutive administrations and parliaments of Tonga also firmly uphold friendly policy towards China. The relationship between our two countries has achieved fruitful results in various fields. I’m confident that with the continuous support of the royal family of Tonga and the concerted efforts of both sides, the China-Tonga strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development will make greater progress.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Both China and Tonga have rich and colorful culture. Both our peoples are good at singing and dancing. I believe the visit by Chongqing Song and Dance Ensemble will further promote cultural exchanges and strengthen the mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples.

In conclusion, I wish the performance a big success and wish everyone a pleasant evening. Thank you.