The Minister for Public Enterprises and Revenue Services, Hon. Clive Edwards received the gifts from the Chinese Ambassador, HE Mr. Wang Donghua, represented by Embassy Secretary, Mr. Yi.

The hand-over ceremony was held at the New City Building in Nuku'alofa, where five new motorbikes were on display before  being donated to the Ministry.

Embassy spokesman Mr. Yi said that, "The relationship between Tonga and China is based "on strong understanding, and our friendly relationship will be strengthened in years to come,"

"So far China has made significant contributions to Tonga's Government and the provision of the motorbikes will help facilitate the work of the Ministry and its activities on a day-to-day basis," he added.

Also present at the hand-over was the Director for Public Enterprises,  Mr. 'Inoke Vala  and  Ports Authority Acting Manager, Mr. Mosese Lavemaau and a Waste Authority  representative.  Ports Authority and Waste Authority are one of the thriteen Government-owned enterprises.

The Ministry of Public Enterprises has not yet confirmed its plans for the motorbikes, but there is a possibility that it will be utilized by some of its Public Enterprises.

The first motorbikes donations was made when the former Ambassador HE Mr Hu Yeshun Chinese Embassy first handed over 20 motorbikes as part of Tonga's preparation to welcome Pacific Leaders to the 38th Pacific Island Leaders Forum Meeting that was held in Nuku'alofa in October 2007.

SInce then, the Chinese Embassy has also made similar donations of motorbikes to other Government Ministries including, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), Ministry of Tourism 's Tonga Visitors Bureau(MT), Ministry of Education, Women Affairs & Culture (MEWAC), Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources (MLSNR) as well as other private sector businesses.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011.