H.E. Ambassador Liu Weimin paid a courtesy call on Colonel Soane M.V. ’Aholelei, the newly appointed Chief of the Defence Staff of His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga on October 30, 2026.

During the meeting, Ambassador Liu warmly congratulated Col. ’Aholelei on his new role, noting that friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Tongan militaries constitute an important part of the China-Tonga Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He spoke highly of Tonga’s firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed China’s readiness to work with Tonga to implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state during His Majesty’s King Tupou VI’s state visit to China in 2025, deepen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, and further advance the China-Tonga Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Col. ’Aholelei thanked Ambassador Liu for his congratulations and reaffirmed his commitment to the friendly relations between Tonga and China, as well as Tonga’s firm adherence to the one-China policy. He expressed his willingness to further exchanges and cooperation in defence and military affairs and to promote continued progress in bilateral military relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.