On May 27, 2008, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi met in the Foreign Ministry with Tongan Foreign and Defense Minister Sonatane Tupou, who is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie. Both sides exchanged views on China-Tonga relations and other issues of common concern. Tupou, on behalf of the Tongan government, again expressed condolences to China over the Sichuan earthquake.