1.Bilateral political relations

ChinaandTongaestablished diplomatic relations onNovember 2, 1998.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have developed rapidly.OnNovember 23, 1998,Chinaset up its embassy inTonga.OnFebruary 15, 1999, the first Chinese ambassador toTongapresented his credentials to the King of Tonga.OnApril 25, 2002,Tonga's Honorary Consulate inBeijingwas opened formally.

The important Chinese personnel who have visited Tonga include: Zhou Guangzhao, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, (in February 2000); Yang Jiechi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, (In November 1998); Liu Hairong, Vice President of the All-China Women's Federation, (in April 1999); Wang Junfu, Vice President of the International Friendship Association, (in June 1999); Wu Quanshu (in July 2000) and Wei Fulin (in April 2001), Deputy Chiefs of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army; He Xiaowei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Economic Cooperation and Trade, (in March 2001); Zhou Wenzhong, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, (in August 2002); and Zhong Min, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, (in December 2002).

Those Tongan personnel who have visited China include: King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (in July 1997 and October 1999), Crown Prince Tupouto'a (in January 2001 and March 2002); Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Veikune (in January 2000); Speaker Tu' Ivakano, (February 2003);Cecil Cocker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environments and Chairman of the Water Committee, (in October 2002, when attending the Second Conference of the Member Countries of the Global Environments Foundation held in China, and in March 2003, coming to China on a study mission); Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Defence, (in October 1998 and August 1999); T. Uta' atu,Commander of the National Defence Army, (in May 2001); Dr. Viliami Tangi, Minister of Health, (in September 1999); Salote Tuilta, Princess, (in May and December 2000); Cecil Cocker, Minister of Engineering, (in June 2000); Dr. Tutoatasi Fakafanua, Minister of Education, (in September 2001); Masaso Paunga, Minister of Trade and Industry, (in January 2002); Clive Edwards, Minister of Police, and Siosiua' Utoikamanu, Minister of Finance, (in May 2002); Paula Bloomfield, Minister of Education and President of the Association of Counting by the Abacus, (in October 2002, when attending the inaugural meeting of the World Federation of Counting by the Abacus and Mental Arithmetic held in China.)

2.Bilateral Economic and Trade relations

In 2002, the total volume of trade betweenChinaandTongawas US$4.836 million, a year-on-year growth of 309.2%.Of that, the volume ofChina's export was US$4.826 million while its import was US$10,000.In January-April 2003, the trade volume was US$600,000, and all was the volume ofChina's export.

3.Cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation

In December 1999 and July 2002, the Hunan Acrobatic Troupe and the Hebei Acrobatic Troupe respectively visitedTongaand gave performances there.

In early 2003, the Chinese Government sent two Chinese teachers to teach inTonga.In the 2003/4 academic year, the Chinese Ministry of Education will provideTongawith four government-sponsored scholarships.

4.Major bilateral agreements

OnOctober 26, 1998, the Joint Communiquéon the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of theKingdomofTonga.

OnOctober 26, 1998, the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of theKingdomofTongaon Economic and Technical Cooperation.

OnOctober 7, 1999, the Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of theKingdomofTonga.

OnOctober 7, 1999, the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of theKingdomofTongaon Economic and Technical Cooperation.

OnAugust 16, 2002, the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of theKingdomofTongaon Economic and Technical Cooperation.